Q&A with Gov. Katie Hobbs on gas prices, Iran war, water security, Charlie Kirk, Andy Biggs

PHOENIX — It has been a busy few months for Democratic incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs, as she juggles her reelection campaign, rising costs that are straining Arizona consumers and a new wave of safety concerns following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran.

Hobbs joined KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Thursday to discuss those topics, her veto of a Charlie Kirk memorial license plate and a critique of her likely 2026 opponent, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, whom she branded the “chief” election denier.

She answered these questions in her interview with KTAR News:

What safety measures are being taken with the Iran war?

The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran on February 28, and the conflict escalated quickly. One U.S. strike hit an Iranian elementary school, killing 165 people — many of them children — which the Associated Press reports is the deadliest civilian‑casualty incident caused by American military operations in at least two decades.

“We’ve seen escalating violence around the country that seems to be tied to this conflict,” Hobbs said.

She’s especially concerned after a Thursday incident in which a suspect rammed their vehicle into a synagogue in Minnesota. In response, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has increased safety patrols around places of worship across the Phoenix area.

“Our public safety agencies, which are always monitoring different threats that might come into Arizona, this is now on their list of things as well, so, looking to ensure that there aren’t threats,” Hobbs said.

What is Gov. Katie Hobbs doing to lower gas prices in Arizona?

Another consequence of the military conflict in Iran is the increase in gas prices. According to GasBuddy, Americans today will spend roughly $250 million more on gasoline than they did 30 days ago.

“This is an action that was chosen by a president who partially won because of inflation and prices were high and gas was one of those things and the other day he said it’s a small price to pay, and I disagree with that so much,” Hobbs said. “Americans and Arizonans are struggling with higher prices everywhere. Higher gas prices is not something we need to pile on to that.”

“We are working with — right now — the Department of Weights and Measures to look at any action we can take to help relieve the increase of gas prices for Arizona,” Hobbs said. “Everything is on the table, but no decision has been made.”

Will Arizona get its fair share of Colorado River water?

Hobbs said she has been fighting for Arizona’s fair share of Colorado River water since day one of her administration — and she’s willing to go to court to ensure the state gets what it deserves.

“I am at the table. I have been at the table, and we have offered real solutions on how all seven basin states can share in the reduced water from Colorado River. What I will not stand for is a solution that puts the brunt of any new cuts on Arizona,” Hobbs said. “I secured funding for a Colorado River Legal Defense Fund. Nobody wants to go to court, but I am prepared to if we need to protect Arizona’s water, to protect Arizona’s future.”

Getting that water is essential not only to the future of the semiconductor industry in Arizona, but also to Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, she added.

“That doesn’t happen if you don’t have the leafy greens that we grow in Yuma that feeds 90% of America during the winter months,” Hobbs said. “That is dependent on Colorado River water.”

Why did Gov. Katie Hobbs veto the Charlie Kirk license plate bill?

Hobbs caught intense flak from state Republicans last month for vetoing Senate Bill 1439, which would have created a specialty license plate honoring Charlie Kirk and directed part of its proceeds to the conservative organization he cofounded.

“I want to first say that obviously his assassination was horrific, a terrible act of violence, and in America we cannot solve our differences with violence. We do it at the ballot box, and I’m increasingly concerned about the increasing level of political violence,” Hobbs said.

At the time of Kirk’s assassination, she ordered flags at Arizona government buildings to be flown at half‑staff.

“That being said, I believe this particular license plate would have injected politics into government,” Hobbs added. “The organization is inherently a political organization, the organization that the license plate would fund, and that’s why I vetoed it.”

What does Arizona governor think of renaming Loop 202 after Charlie Kirk?

Shortly after Kirk’s assassination, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen vowed to honor Kirk by making an effort to rename the Loop 202 as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Loop 202.”

When asked her opinion, Hobbs was tight-lipped.

“I don’t typically speak on pending legislation, but we have a process a board that goes through a process to rename highways, geographical locations, and I think we should honor that process,” she said.

What do you think of Biggs wanting to overhaul Arizona elections?

Hobbs said it’s ridiculous that people continue denying Arizona elections are secure — and that those same election deniers keep winning seats of power. One example: Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, who is running for governor with an endorsement from President Trump.

“He has said that he would immediately get to work overhauling our elections, which, I want to be clear, does not need to happen. We have safe, secure elections that are well administered by officials at every county,” Hobbs said. “Arizonans don’t need to be concerned that there’s problems in our elections.”

In her opinion, he’s more than a normal election denier; he’s the “chief” election denier.

“He had a role in planning January 6th. He begged for a pardon after that. He defied congressional subpoenas about his role in that,” Hobbs said. “It shouldn’t be a question why Trump wants him in the governor’s office of a swing state during the next presidential election.”

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