Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Tuesday that she has chosen former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate in the November gubernatorial election, forging a bipartisan ticket for the first statewide contest in which Arizonans will elect a lieutenant governor.
Historic first for Arizona
The contest this fall is the first time voters in Arizona will cast ballots for governor and lieutenant governor on a single ticket after a 2022 ballot measure created the post. Hobbs said in a joint video announcement with Giles that she sought a partner committed to results over partisan divisions.
“Now, for the first time in our state’s history, we are electing a governor and lieutenant governor on the same ticket. And the first thing I looked for in a running mate was someone who shares that value of putting Arizonans ahead of partisan politics,” Hobbs said.
Giles served as mayor of Mesa from 2014 to 2025. He changed his party affiliation to independent in May and, according to Hobbs’ communications director, voted in the Democratic primary last month. Giles has previously endorsed Hobbs and spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where he criticized the national Republican Party.
“I was a lifelong Republican before becoming an independent because extremists shouldn’t stand in the way of getting things done,” Giles said in the announcement.
What the pick means for the race
The Hobbs-Giles ticket sets up a high-profile general election matchup with the Republican nominee, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, who selected former state legislator Sine Kerr as his running mate after winning the GOP primary. Biggs, who chaired the House Freedom Caucus, has represented Arizona in Congress since 2017 and emerged from a competitive primary that included Rep. David Schweikert and business candidates.
The cross-party nature of Hobbs’ choice may be aimed at persuading independent and moderate Republican voters in a closely divided state. Giles’ recent party change, his past endorsements of Democratic candidates, and his public criticism of the modern Republican Party position him as a bridge for voters uncomfortable with partisan extremes — a line the Hobbs campaign emphasized in the video announcement.
- Historic office: First election for lieutenant governor in Arizona after 2022 ballot measure.
- Cross-party pick: Giles was a Republican mayor before registering as an independent in May and voting in the Democratic primary.
- General election opponents: Rep. Andy Biggs and running mate Sine Kerr represent the Republican ticket.
Background on Giles and recent political moves
As mayor, Giles led Mesa during a decade that included growth and development in Arizona’s third-largest city. Nationally notable moments followed his time as mayor: he publicly backed Democratic presidential candidates in 2024 and has criticized Republicans he described as dominated by extremist impulses. Those moves — including speaking at the Democratic National Convention — led to increased attention from both parties and the political press.
Media outlets reported that The New York Times first revealed Hobbs’ plan to announce a running mate. Hobbs’ campaign framed the pick as an effort to put governance ahead of partisan rhetoric, highlighting accomplishments she cites from her first term such as tax reductions, a focus on border security and public safety initiatives.
Quick comparison of the tickets
| Ticket | Governor | Lieutenant governor candidate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Katie Hobbs | John Giles (former Republican, now independent) | Historic first elected LG; Giles voted in Democratic primary. |
| Republican | Andy Biggs | Sine Kerr (former state lawmaker) | Biggs won a competitive GOP primary; conservative base support. |
The Hobbs campaign emphasized shared priorities. In the joint announcement, Hobbs said her administration has worked on cutting taxes, securing the border and supporting public safety — themes her campaign will likely continue to stress as the race unfolds. Giles reiterated his break with what he characterized as extremist elements and framed his shift to independent status as a response to those trends.
Both campaigns now face the task of appealing to the broad electorate in a state that has been politically competitive in recent cycles. With the lieutenant governor position appearing on the ballot for the first time, both the symbolism and practical dynamics of the ticket could affect turnout and voter calculations this November.
Reporting for this story relied on the joint video announcement and campaign statements from Tuesday and confirmations provided to national outlets by Hobbs’ communications staff.
