Katie Hobbs — Democratic Candidate for Governor in Arizona, 2026

Katie Hobbs vetoed the Arizona ICE Act in 2025, opposing its federal overreach into local immigration enforcement. She stated her biggest issue was that the act gave federal authorities unfettered power over local officials. Hobbs believes Arizonans, not Washington D.C. politicians, should decide what is best for the state, asserting that tying the hands of law enforcement officials is bad public policy.

“Arizonans, not Washington, DC politicians, must decide what’s best for Arizona," Katie Hobbs in her veto letter, as reported by Arizona Mirror on April 22, 2025.”

Governor Katie Hobbs opposes federal Medicaid cuts, stating they threaten to remove Arizonans from health insurance and harm rural hospitals by making access harder. She supports abortion rights, overseeing the repeal of the 1864 near-total ban and vetoing new restrictions to uphold the voter mandate in Prop. 139. Additionally, Hobbs has made significant investments in the Arizona Department of Corrections health care system.

““These proposed federal Medicaid cuts threaten to kick hundreds of thousands of Arizonans off their health insurance and could devastate clinics and hospitals throughout Arizona, especially in rural areas,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Cuts will make it harder for Arizonans to access the healthcare that they need, and will decimate local economies across our state. Politicians in Washington are endangering the health of Arizonans, and Arizona taxpayers cannot afford to pay the price for these politicians’ bad decisions. Congress must change course, or Arizona will suffer the consequences.” (Governor Katie Hobbs, azgovernor.gov, May 2025)”

Katie Hobbs has proposed ending tax incentives for data centers in Arizona, citing concerns about their water and energy usage within communities. She aims to strike a balance between economic benefits and community impact. Hobbs also prioritizes water resource management, committing to fight for Arizona's water rights and establishing a new Active Management Area in the Ranegras Plain basin. She is focused on lowering energy costs for Arizona residents.

“Katie Hobbs: "I think we just have to find the right balance. We, as a state, made a strategic decision to incentivize data centers... there are concerns about water use, concerns about energy usage, and concerns in communities. So we need to strike the right balance. And I think ending the tax incentive is the right way to do that." (azcapitoltimes.com, January 9, 2026)”

Katie Hobbs supports abortion rights, stating that decisions about family planning should remain with individuals. She has worked to repeal Arizona's 1864 total abortion ban and remove barriers to over-the-counter contraception. Hobbs has received the endorsement of Reproductive Freedom for All and emphasizes protecting Arizonans' freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. She also supported efforts to enshrine the freedom to choose in the state constitution.

““I am proud to earn the endorsement of Reproductive Freedom for All, an organization working every day to ensure that decisions about birth control, abortion, and starting a family remain with individuals—not out-of-touch politicians. From day one, I’ve fought to protect reproductive freedom by repealing Arizona’s 1864 total abortion ban, removing barriers to over-the-counter contraception, and helping enshrine the freedom to choose in our state constitution. I will always defend Arizonans’ freedom to make their own healthcare decisions.” - Katie Hobbs, on earning the endorsement of Reproductive Freedom for All, January 22, 2026.”

Research pending more substantial sources.

Katie Hobbs supports significant investment in public education, advocating for increased teacher pay and the expansion of post-secondary opportunities. Her administration prioritizes free early childhood education, affordable childcare, and ensuring all students have access to certified school counselors and social workers. She seeks to build a world-class public education system to prepare students for future career opportunities and enhance Arizona's economic competitiveness.

““As the sister of public school teachers, I’m proud to have the support of educators across Arizona who show up for our kids every day. I’ve seen up close how hard educators work to meet students where they are and help them succeed. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to support educators, parents, and students by raising teacher pay, launching programs to support apprenticeships and workforce training, and investing in safer, world-class learning environments. There’s more work to do, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure every Arizona student has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.” (Katie Hobbs, Arizona Education Association press release, Tuesday, February 3, 2026)”

Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed multiple pieces of gun policy legislation, including measures that would have extended statewide preemption on gun regulations for three consecutive years, citing a commitment to protecting local control. She also vetoed bills concerning firearm-specific merchant category codes, concealed carry on campus, and "shoot first" laws, often stating public safety and preventing gun violence as the basis for her decisions.