Arizona Democrat Rep. Aaron Lieberman joins 2022 race for governor

PHOENIX – Another Democrat has joined the ever-growing field in the race to become Arizona’s next governor: state Rep. Aaron Lieberman.

“As a legislator it’s my job to make sure that the systems are working the way they should for the people that we serve, and that’s what I’ll do as governor,” Lieberman said in a campaign launch video posted Tuesday.

Lieberman is in his second term representing District 28 – which includes parts of Phoenix and Paradise Valley — in the state House.

The Arizona native, who describes himself as a social entrepreneur, is the founder of two early childhood education organizations.

“We’ve got to try new approaches to education, to health care, to ensuring that we have clean air and water and a booming economy that will help every Arizonan be successful,” he said in the video.

I'm running for Governor of AZ. Our politics are broken, and it is time for something new. By putting people first & setting politics aside, I'll be focused on creating real change for AZ. Check out my video and join our campaign. pic.twitter.com/Ckc5sasrKF

— Rep. Aaron Lieberman (@aaron4az) June 29, 2021

Valley political analyst Mike O’Neil said Lieberman faces an uphill climb in his primary, where Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs is the clear front-runner, but there’s plenty of time for the race to shift before voters go to the polls next year.

“This is year and a half from now,” O’Neil told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “There’s a whole lot of things that could happen.

“Out of the gate the smart money is on the secretary of state, Katie Hobbs, but I wouldn’t write anybody off at this point.”

Former Nogales Mayor Marco Lopez is also running for the Democratic nomination.

The crowded Republican field is headlined by former TV news anchor Kari Lake, state Treasurer Kimberly Yee, Arizona Regent Karrin Taylor Robson, former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon and businessman Steve Gaynor.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey can’t run for reelection in 2022 due to term limits, ending an eight-year run.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.

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