Hobbs Selected Independent John Giles as Running Mate
The Arizona governor chose the former Mesa mayor as her lieutenant governor candidate for the 2026 race.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Elections
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Governor Katie Hobbs has selected former Mesa mayor John Giles as her lieutenant governor running mate. The announcement follows a legislative change creating the position, with the pair now set to face Republican challenger Andy Biggs and his running mate, Sine Kerr.
Why it matters
Giles, a lifelong Republican who re-registered as an independent in May 2026, has previously crossed party lines to endorse Democratic candidates. His selection highlights a strategic effort to appeal to centrist voters who align with his criticism of political extremism.
State law established a September 4 deadline for selecting running mates, following a Secretary of State request for submissions by August 7 to accommodate ballot preparation. This is the first election cycle utilizing the newly created lieutenant governor office.
The players
Katie Hobbs
She is the current Governor of Arizona and is seeking reelection in the 2026 cycle.
John Giles
He is the former mayor of Mesa, serving from 2014 to 2025, and recently registered as an independent voter.
Andy Biggs
He is a political candidate challenging the current gubernatorial administration in the 2026 Arizona election.
Sine Kerr
She is the lieutenant governor running mate selected by Andy Biggs for the 2026 gubernatorial ticket.
The details
The campaign confirmed the selection through a video released on Tuesday morning, finalizing the ticket for the upcoming general election. Giles, who served as Mesa mayor from 2014 to 2025, stated that his shift to independent status was driven by a belief that political extremists are obstructing progress.
Timeline
John Giles first registered as a Republican in 1986.
Giles re-registered as an independent in May 2026.
The Secretary of State requested candidate picks by August 7, 2026.
The state law mandated a September 4, 2026, deadline for choosing running mates.
The general election is scheduled for November 2026.
Political Context
This selection represents the first candidate pairing under the new Arizona law that established a standalone lieutenant governor office. Opposition groups have criticized the move, arguing that the ticket lacks ideological cohesion given the candidates' varying party histories.
Voters will see a new office on the ballot this cycle, requiring a change in how they cast their votes for the executive branch. Residents should prepare for additional candidate messaging that emphasizes the new ticket structure compared to previous election years.
The takeaway
The move signals an attempt by the incumbent to build a cross-partisan coalition in a high-stakes state election. Voters should monitor how the addition of the lieutenant governor office impacts the balance of power within the executive branch.
What happens next
The general election is scheduled for November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming cycle, visit the Arizona Elections portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Public Media.
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