ARIZONA NEWS

Katie Hobbs issues apology to former legislative staffer in discrimination case

Dec 8, 2021, 3:30 PM

(Twitter Screenshot/Katie Hobbs)...

(Twitter Screenshot/Katie Hobbs)

(Twitter Screenshot/Katie Hobbs)

PHOENIX — Arizona Secretary of State and governor candidate Katie Hobbs released a video Wednesday in which she apologized to a former legislative staffer who was awarded millions in a discrimination case stemming from a firing during Hobbs’ tenure as the Senate’s Democratic leader.

Hobbs said she was “truly sorry” for the harm caused to Talonya Adams, a Black woman who was awarded $2.75 million in November, and promised to take steps to avoid a similar situation in the future.

Hobbs has been the clear front-runner among Democrats in the race for governor, but came under fire for her response to the case.

After the November decision, Hobbs released a two-page response but did not acknowledge discrimination took place, a step she took Wednesday.

 

“I know that the disappointment felt by many Arizonans didn’t start with the verdict in this case,” Hobbs said in the video. “What Ms. Adams experienced is yet another example of the systemic inequities and racism that have long permeated every aspect of our lives, too often in ways that are invisible to people like me.”

Adams said she was fired from her job as a policy adviser for state Senate Democrats in 2015 because of discrimination based on her race and gender.

Hobbs was not named as a defendant but was involved in the decision to fire Adams and testified in both trials.

Adams was awarded $1 million in 2019 and got her job back, but a federal judge ordered a new trial last year.

Hobbs said during the trial she had “lost trust” in Adams, citing in part the policy adviser’s emergency leave to care for her son out of state, and she wished she had been a “better ally” for Adams.

She repeated that sentiment in her apology video.

“I need to be more than an ally, I need to be your advocate,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs said she would continue to recruit, hire and elevate women and people of color to leadership positions.

She added that if elected governor, she would revamp the Office of Equal Opportunity and employ a chief equity officer to oversee changes.

Adams said after the second trial verdict she will campaign against Hobbs if asked to do so.

“I do not believe she is fit to serve,” Adams said. “I do not believe she’s a person that should be bestowed the power or the authority to govern the citizens of Arizona.”

Ben Petersen, a Republican Party spokesman, said Hobbs’ video “smacks of pandering and desperation.”

“This is too little, too late,” Petersen said. “Hobbs may be staying in the race, but her campaign is doomed.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

2 minutes ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

49 minutes ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

2 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

3 hours ago

Mesa Public Schools is planning layoffs....

Kevin Stone

Mesa Public Schools reveals details about how many jobs it plans to cut

Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest public school district, released new details about its previously announced plan for layoffs.

4 hours ago

Edmund Davis...

Danny Shapiro

Man connected to Alicia Navarro case gets 100-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children

A Montana man who admitted he was the boyfriend of Alicia Navarro, the Glendale girl who went missing for four years, received a 100-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of children, authorities announced Tuesday.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Katie Hobbs issues apology to former legislative staffer in discrimination case