Democrat Katie Hobbs says she works well with GOP Gov. Doug Ducey

PHOENIX – Democrat Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s secretary of state-elect, said she doesn’t foresee any problems working with a Republican governor.

“I have a great working relationship with the governor, and I think we’re going to be able to work well together,” Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos on Monday, referring to Gov. Doug Ducey.

Hobbs was one of four Democrats, all women, who won statewide races during the midterm election, joining Kyrsten Sinema (U.S. Senate), Kathy Hoffman (superintendent of public instruction) and Sandra Kennedy (corporation commission).

All of those seats had been held by Republicans.

Hobbs said the election results showed that Arizonan voters want balance in the government.

“Hopefully the Republicans see this as no longer having a mandate to push their agenda through, but working with Democrats to get things done for our state,” she said.

Hobbs was elected to the Arizona House in 2010 and was voted into the Senate two years later. She’s been the Senate minority leader since 2014.

“I think the governor and I have worked together well in the past and will continue to in the future,” she said.

Hobbs trailed Republican Steve Gaynor in the secretary of state race by around 44,000 votes on Election Day.

But with hundreds of thousands of ballots left to be counted, Hobbs was able to make up the gap, and she declared victory Friday.

Both Ducey and Gaynor called to congratulate her.

Secretary of state is Arizona’s chief elections officer and first in the state’s line of succession for governor, meaning Hobbs would take over should Ducey leave office before the next election in four years.

She said she has the credentials to be governor if the need arises, citing her experience dealing with education, water and health care.

“I’m ready to tackle those issues if that comes up,” she said. “Right now I’m focused on the job of secretary of state.”

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