ARIZONA NEWS

Katie Hobbs still dominating among Democrats in race for Arizona governor, poll finds

May 31, 2022, 10:00 AM | Updated: 10:06 am

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, left, was leading Marco Lopez in the Democratic gubernatori...

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, left, was leading Marco Lopez in the Democratic gubernatorial primary race by more than 30 percentage points in a poll released Tuesday, May 31, 2022, by OH Predictive Insights. (Twitter Photos)

(Twitter Photos)

PHOENIX – Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs continues to hold a commanding lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to new polling, but a significant number of voters remain undecided.

Hobbs was the top choice of 43% of the likely Democratic voters surveyed by OH Predictive Insights earlier this month and released Tuesday. Hobbs’ only remaining competitor, former Nogales Mayor Marco Lopez, was at 9%.

The poll was conducted May 9-16, before former state lawmaker Aaron Lieberman bowed out of the race. Lieberman, who withdrew Friday because he didn’t see “a realistic path forward in this race,” fared only slightly worse than Lopez at 8%.

However, with just over three months to go before the Aug. 2 primary, 40% of Arizona Democrats remained unsure about the governor race.

“With no significant movement in months and the primary election just a couple months away, the two in five undecided voters will certainly decide this race’s outcome,” said Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights chief of research.

The race hasn’t shifted in a meaningful way since the Phoenix-based research firm conducted its last Democratic gubernatorial primary poll in January, when Hobbs had 46%, Lopez 9% and Lieberman 5%, with 39% unsure.

Having an apparently safe lead among Democrats means Hobbs can save her resources for the general election, where she’ll face whoever emerges from what’s become a three-way Republican race among Kari Lake, Karrin Taylor Robson and Matt Salmon.

“Democrats in Arizona seem to have avoided a bruising and contentious primary thus far — a positive sign in an otherwise grim national environment for the party,” Noble said.

We want to hear from you.

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

Arizona News

The number of people driving more than 90 minutes to get to work has dropped in the Valley. (Jim Po...

Brandon Gray

Update: Backup cleared on I-17 in Northern Arizona.

Memorial Day travel is causing heavy traffic on southbound Interstate 17 in northern Arizona.

20 hours ago

(Pexels Photo)...

KTAR.com

1-year-old dead after drowning in pool in Mesa

  A 1-year-old boy died after being pulled from a Mesa pool over the weekend, officials said.

20 hours ago

(Twitter Photo/@AZGFD)...

Alex Weiner

Endangered Mexican wolf pups fostered in Arizona packs this month, wildlife officials say

Three Mexican wolf pups were fostered into a pack in Arizona in efforts to increase genetic diversity in the endangered wild populations. 

20 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Dunkin')...

Brandon Gray

Here’s how you can get free coffee for a year at Mesa’s new Dunkin’ location

A new Dunkin' location is set to open in Mesa and some lucky customers will have the chance to get free coffee for a year. 

20 hours ago

In addition to the towers in the first phase, South Pier will have more housing units and retail th...

Ron Davis/Phoenix Business Journal

Developer secures large loan for multibillion-dollar Tempe Town Lake project

The developer of South Pier along Tempe Town Lake has secured a hefty loan to finance the completion of the first phase of the mixed-use project.

20 hours ago

(Facebook Photo)...

Associated Press

Mother pleads guilty after Arizona boy starves to death

An Arizona mother has pleaded guilty to murder and child abuse charges stemming from the death of her 6-year-old son who had been locked in a closet and denied food.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

...

re:vitalize

Why drug-free weight loss still matters

Wanting to lose weight is a common goal for many people as they progress throughout life, but choosing between a holistic approach or to take medicine can be a tough decision.

(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...

Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.

Katie Hobbs still dominating among Democrats in race for Arizona governor, poll finds