Hobbs and Giles Celebrate Arizona Victory at Phoenix Rally

Hundreds of supporters gathered at Carpenters Local 1912 Hall in west Phoenix on November 4 to celebrate Gov. Katie Hobbs’ reelection and John Giles’ election as lieutenant governor. Hobbs’ ticket had received 55% of the vote, with more than 80% of precincts reporting, and Democrats were expected to hold majorities in both legislative chambers for the first time in 60 years.

Hobbs called the legislative shift a turning point and said her administration would work for voters regardless of how they cast their ballots. She highlighted the cost of groceries, housing, gas and prescriptions as priorities, and said Arizona voters had chosen leaders who answered to the state rather than Washington.

Giles, a former Mesa mayor and Republican who is now an independent, said he would work across party lines with Hobbs. The newly created lieutenant governor position makes him the state’s first to hold the office. It replaces the secretary of state as the temporary successor if a governor dies, resigns or is impeached.

Rally attendees cited affordability, immigration, health care, education, housing and abortion rights among their concerns. Some said Giles’ political background could help bring the parties together. Hobbs and Giles also addressed voters who supported their opponents, saying they would work for them and seek their trust.

Hobbs has earned the nickname “veto queen,” with 143 vetoes in the 2023 legislative session and a record 174 in 2025. Republican challenger Andy Biggs had not conceded as of November 4, saying his campaign would wait for election officials to count all ballots statewide.

Arizona Voters Give Hobbs and Democrats a Governing Mandate

Arizona voters delivered a powerful endorsement of Democratic leadership, and Gov. Katie Hobbs used a west Phoenix victory rally on November 4 to promise she would govern for the whole state. Her ticket had won 55% of the vote with more than 80% of precincts reporting, while Democrats were expected to take both legislative chambers.

Hobbs pointed to the cost of groceries, housing, gas and prescriptions as issues her administration must address. Supporters also raised affordable health care, Medicaid, education, housing, immigration and abortion rights. The new legislative majorities give Democrats an opportunity to act on those priorities after six decades without control of both chambers.

John Giles, a former Republican and Mesa mayor who is now an independent, said he would work across party lines with Hobbs. He argued that protecting water, building affordable homes, keeping rural hospitals open and preparing children for jobs do not have partisan solutions.

Hobbs also pledged to work for people who voted against her. That promise contrasts with Republican challenger Andy Biggs’ refusal to concede as of November 4; his campaign said it would wait for all ballots to be counted. Biggs had the backing of President Trump and advanced false claims about the 2020 election, while Hobbs said Arizona voters had chosen leaders who answer to the state, not Washington.

Hobbs’ Expanded Power Faces Test After Years of Vetoes

Gov. Katie Hobbs celebrated a victory that could give her party control of Arizona’s entire Legislature, but her promise of bipartisan cooperation comes after years of shutting down bills with the veto. At a west Phoenix rally on November 4, Hobbs and John Giles addressed hundreds of supporters as Democrats prepared to take both chambers for the first time in 60 years.

Hobbs set a record with 174 vetoes in 2025, following 143 in the 2023 legislative session. That record now hangs over the prospect of a Democratic-controlled Statehouse: voters and lawmakers will see whether her pledge to work for every Arizonan means a new approach, or whether the veto remains a defining feature of her governorship.

Giles, a former Republican and now an independent, said he would work with both parties on water, affordable homes, rural hospitals and jobs. He praised Republicans and independents who crossed party lines to support the ticket, while Hobbs said she would work as hard for those who voted against her as for her supporters.

The ticket had 55% of the vote with more than 80% of precincts reporting. Republican challenger Andy Biggs had not conceded as of November 4, saying his campaign would wait for officials to count every ballot statewide. The next legislative session will show how far the promised bipartisan approach extends when Democrats hold majorities in both chambers.