2026 Election: Katie Hobbs picks John Giles as her lieutenant governor running mate

PHOENIX - Governor Katie Hobbs has formally announced her choice for Arizona's first ever lieutenant governor, selecting former Mesa Mayor John Giles to join her on the ticket.

"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.

Who's John Giles?

Born and raised in Arizona, Giles is a lifelong Republican turned independent.

Giles served as Mesa's mayor from 2014 to 2025 and has been a vocal Trump critic, endorsing Democrats including Kamala Harris before registering as an independent.

What He's Saying:

"As Mesa Mayor, I focused on getting results and bringing people together to solve problems. We revitalized our downtown, we improved public education and brought more businesses to our city," Giles said.

Political analysts weigh in

Analysts say the move is a direct play for Arizona voters who do not belong to either major party.

"In the general election, in this upcoming cycle, 28% - 30% of the electorate will be unaffiliated, so they’re not either Republican or Democrat," High Ground Inc. CEO Chuck Coughlin said. "It’ll be just like him - frustrated with the current environment - and he is a very capable of communicating to those people and giving her a broader base of support."

Analysts noted that the pick reinforces the bipartisan image Hobbs has attempted to build throughout her term.

"Governor Hobbs has chosen somebody that gives you more texture, more added flavor to her ticket because let’s be honest, she’s a Democrat, and a partisan Democrat at that, and so she’s tried to govern as a centrist Democrat, which she’s had to do with the Republican-dominated legislature. And so picking John reinforces that narrative which she’s tried to live up to of being sort of that bipartisan figure," Coughlin said.

LDS church members could play a role in the election

Republican candidate Andy Biggs recently named former State Senator Sine Kerr as his running mate to solidify his conservative base.

Notably, both Biggs and Giles are members of the LDS Church, a key demographic in Arizona that could play a decisive role in November.

"I would say that the Republican campaign, they still tend to be much more Republican-based voters and are comfortable voting with the Republican Party, although there are parts of them that will vote independent, as John has just registered as independent," Coughlin said. "So, he’ll send a message to that part of the church. And then there’s Mormon women too. Mormon women tend to be a little different than Mormon men, and so, you are sending a message to them that this gal’s OK to vote for. I’m here, and I’m supporting her."

Biggs' statement on Hobbs' selection of Giles 

"Democrat Katie Hobbs' selection of DNC Convention speaker and Democrat primary voter John Giles is of no surprise to Arizonans who have been paying attention.

As Kamala Harris' favorite Arizona mayor, Giles is aligned with Hobbs on all the issues that have hurt Arizonans the most over the past four years. From being "impressed" with the Biden Border Policy to supporting the out of control federal COVID spending, which led to record inflation, to voting in favor of an ordinance to allow men in women's bathrooms in Mesa, Giles has been an aspiring Democrat since he first voted for Joe Biden in 2020.

Arizonans will see this botched, half-baked announcement as just another example of Katie Hobbs' chaos and incompetence and another reason to vote for Andy Biggs and Sine Kerr in November."

What's next:

The Hobbs campaign confirmed Giles will not be participating in a lieutenant governor debate. FOX 10 reached out to their campaign for an interview, but a response has not been received yet.

2026 ElectionsKatie HobbsArizona PoliticsPhoenixNews