Arizona gubernatorial hopeful Katie Hobbs says she’ll accept election results

PHOENIX – Arizona Democratic candidate for governor Katie Hobbs said Monday she would honor the vote count regardless of the outcome.

“I absolutely have confidence and I absolutely will accept the results,” Hobbs, Arizona’s secretary of state and top election official, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News ahead of Tuesday’s general election.

“I’m in the position overseeing our state’s elections. I know that they’re free and fair,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs’ Republican opponent, former TV anchor Kari Lake, has repeatedly questioned the validity of President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election and last month told ABC News, “I will accept the results of this election if we have a fair, honest, and transparent election. Absolutely 100 percent.”

She also told CNN, ““I’m going to win the election, and I will accept that result.”

The governor does not certify election results – that is the duty of the secretary of state. But the governor, attorney general and state Supreme Court chief justice must also sign off on the election canvass.

According to Arizona statute, “On the fourth Monday following a general election, the secretary of state, in the presence of the governor and the attorney general, shall canvass all offices for which the nominees filed nominating petitions and papers with the secretary of state pursuant to section 16-311, subsection E.”

The fourth Monday after the election is Dec. 5.

“I know that so much of the of the aftermath of the 2020 election is all lies and that it’s based on just false accusations with no evidence, and we’re running the same kind of election in 2022,” Hobbs said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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