Katie Hobbs praises John Giles running mate pick; Andy Biggs team calls him Democrat ally

Gov. Katie Hobbs confirmed Tuesday she has chosen former Mesa Mayor John Giles, a former Republican, as her running mate for reelection, completing the Democratic gubernatorial ticket.

The cross-party pick is part of Hobbs’ “Arizona Over Party” strategy as she faces Donald Trump-endorsed Republican Andy Biggs and his running mate, former state Sen. Sine Kerr, in November.

Hobbs announced the selection in a digital video, calling Giles a leader who shares her focus on “putting Arizonans ahead of partisan politics.”

“At a time when too many politicians are focused on partisan politics, Arizona deserves a lieutenant governor who shares my commitment to putting Arizona first and delivering real results,” Hobbs said in a statement. “That’s why I’m proud to have Mayor John Giles by my side.”

Arizona deserves leaders who put our state ahead of partisan politics.

That’s why I’m proud to have former Mesa Mayor @johngiles4AZ by my side as my pick for Lieutenant Governor.

Together, we’ll put Arizona first, deliver real results, and keep moving our state forward. pic.twitter.com/TddoGok0Ve

— Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) August 11, 2026

Giles said he was joining the ticket because he and Hobbs share “the belief that leadership is about bringing people together and getting results.”

“I’m proud to stand with her to put Arizona first, find common ground, and keep moving our state forward,” Giles said.

Giles, a longtime Republican, modified his party affiliation on May 17, according to county documents. He is now a registered as no party preference.

Who is John Giles, Katie Hobbs’ pick for lieutenant governor?

Giles served as Mesa mayor from 2014 to 2025 and was widely recognized for his forward-looking leadership.

In the announcement video, Giles described himself as “a lifelong Republican before becoming an Independent” and said “extremists shouldn’t stand in the way of getting things done.”

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

A longtime critic of Trump, Giles endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024. His alliance with Hobbs goes back to 2022 when he endorsed her against MAGA loyalist Kari Lake.

He endorsed Hobbs against Biggs last month.

Bloomberg Philanthropies credited Giles with helping make Mesa, Arizona’s third largest city, a model for investing in residents and growing the economy.

The Arizona State Transportation Board also noted his work advancing sustainability through Mesa’s Climate Action Plan and supporting an ordinance that helped attract Fortune 50 companies and create jobs.

In 2021, Giles launched the Mesa College Promise, which helps eligible students attend Mesa Community College for two years with tuition and registration fees covered.

What does John Giles add to the Democratic governor ticket?

The cross-party selection highlights Hobbs’ focus on bipartisanship and contrasts with Biggs’ choice of Kerr, a dairy farmer with deep rural Arizona ties and a record of supporting abortion restrictions during her time as a Republican state legislator.

The Biggs campaign criticized the pick Tuesday, portraying Giles as aligned with national Democrats.

“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,” Drew Sexton, senior adviser to Biggs for Arizona, said in a statement.

Sexton called Giles “Kamala Harris’ favorite Arizona mayor” and accused him of siding with Hobbs on policies the Biggs campaign says have hurt Arizona voters, including border security, federal COVID-19 spending and a Mesa nondiscrimination ordinance.

If Hobbs wins the Nov. 3 election, Giles would become Arizona’s first lieutenant governor. The role is expected to give him broad flexibility, since the position was created largely to address succession issues.

The last time an Arizona governor left office early, it led to a party change. Democrat Janet Napolitano resigned in January 2009 to become President Barack Obama’s Homeland Security secretary, and Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer replaced her for the rest of the term.

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