Gov. Katie Hobbs says she and her family recently received an execution threat

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said Tuesday that she and her family received an execution threat last week, as Democrats across the state face threatening letters ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

“There was an execution threat against me and my family just last week,” Hobbs said on KTAR 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos.

She said her security team flagged the threat.

The threat came the same week the Executive Tower at the state Capitol was evacuated after the secretary of state’s office received a letter containing a white powder substance. Officials later said the powder was not toxic.

Over the weekend, three Arizona Democrats in Congress also received suspicious letters.

“Political threats and violence have no place in Arizona, and it’s creating a terrible environment for everyone,” she said.

Hobbs, who was secretary of state during the 2020 election, added she faced threats then too, including armed protesters outside her home.

“My son called me frantically because his phone was blowing up because someone had tried to post my personal information online, and they posted his instead,” she said.

Hobbs noted attacks come with the job but should not get personal.

“There is no question, when you get into politics, you’re going to get attacked,” she said. “You need to have a thick skin. … But when those things turn personal, that is not okay.”

Katie Hobbs calls Prop 144 ‘a solution in search of a problem’

Hobbs said she opposes Proposition 144, which would require voters to include proof of ID with their mail-in ballots.

“Anyone who registers to vote in Arizona has to show proof of ID,” Hobbs said. “It is like an unnecessary step that is going to disenfranchise so many voters. … I think it is a solution in search of a problem.”

Katie Hobbs brushes off double-digit poll lead

Public polls show Hobbs leading Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs. A HighGround survey released last week put her ahead by nearly 17 points, and an Equis Research poll showed her up six. But Hobbs said her campaign’s internal polling shows the race within the margin of error.

“I won by just over half a percent in 2022,” Hobbs said. “The electorate here is plus nine Republican. And so for any statewide Democrat, it’s going to be a close race.”

She pointed to Democratic U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, who each led by double digits in polls before winning narrower victories in 2022 and 2024.

“We’re expecting a tight race, and we are not letting up until we get to the finish line,” she said.

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