MEMO: Katie Hobbs Prepared to Win in 2022

With six months until the 2022 primary elections, Katie Hobbs for Governor continues to gain key support and grassroots momentum. The clear Democratic frontrunner in the race for governor, Katie has proven to be a battle-tested statewide leader who has shown she can and will work with Democrats and Republicans to get the job done for everyday Arizonans.

Running on Katie’s Strengths

Katie has a proven track record of winning tough elections and is the only candidate on either side who has been truly tested. Early in her career, Katie developed a knack for winning tough primaries. In her first run for office in 2010, Katie honed her ability to harness grassroots support to win a close primary for state House, successfully edging out more established names in Arizona politics. Then in 2012, Katie went on to run for state Senate in one of the “hottest races” of the cycle, deftly navigating the “intraparty slugfest.”

Developing a name for herself as a principled and effective legislator who became “a rising star,” Katie was elected Minority Leader of the Arizona Senate and went on to run for Secretary of State in 2018. In a year when Arizona voters split their tickets for statewide offices, Katie flipped the critical Secretary of State seat–the first Democrat to do so in 23 years–all while being outspent by more than $2 million by her wealthy Republican opponent.

The fact is Katie’s success in tough races is a constant throughout her career and it’s clear why. From working to clear the rape kit backlog, to her bipartisan efforts to expand Medicaid, to passing legislation to fight the opioid epidemic, to running a fair and secure election with record turnout during an unprecedented pandemic, Arizonans know Katie is an effective public servant who focuses on getting the job done for constituents.

Katie’s background as a social worker and her record as a public servant continues to resonate with voters who respect her independence, agree with her belief that we need a government that works for everyone, and recognize her effectiveness and commitment to working with anyone to get the job done.

Katie Has Early Resources and Support Critical To Winning

Katie began her campaign by breaking Arizona’s fundraising record: she raised more than $2.9 million in 2021–more than any other candidate at this point in state history—and she did it without spending a penny of her own money. At this point in the race, Katie has the most cash on hand of any Democrat in Arizona gubernatorial history. And with the help of early investments in digital, Katie crushed the record for small contributions by nearly half a million dollars. Nearly 20,000 donors helped propel Katie’s campaign because they know she has a track record of successfully fighting for everyday Arizonans.

And since launching her campaign, Katie has earned key endorsements from organized labor unions such as the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 36, and Boilermakers Local 627. This builds on key endorsements from local, state, and national leaders including:

  • Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 36
  • Boilermakers Local 627
  • Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
  • International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers Local 627
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 36
  • Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo
  • Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar
  • Sen. Lela Alston
  • Sen. Sean Bowie
  • Sen. Lupe Contreras
  • Sen. Kirsten Engel
  • Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai
  • Sen. Martin Quezada
  • Sen. Victoria Steele
  • Rep. Richard Andrade
  • Rep. Andrea Dalessandro
  • Rep. Pam Powers Hannley
  • Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton
  • Sen. Rosanna Gabaldón
  • Rep. Cesar Chavez
  • Mayor Ginny Dickey
  • Rex Scott, Pima County Supervisor
  • Randy Keating, Vice Mayor of Tempe
  • Lauren Kuby, Tempe City Councilor
  • VP of the Tempe School Board Berdetta Hodge
  • Marie Lopez Rogers, former Mayor of Avondale, President of the National League of Cities, former Maricopa County Supervisor
  • Garrick McFadden, Phoenix civil rights lawyer
  • Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association
  • Democrats Serve
  • Arizona List
  • EMILY’s List
  • Fund Her
  • Vote from Home

Public Polling Shows Katie Leads In Both Primary And General Election Races
With the campaign season in full swing, Katie is well-positioned. Polling of the race shows Katie starts the contest in a solid position:

  • In a newly released January poll, Hobbs’ primary opponents were “miles behind” her as she built momentum and consolidated her near-majority lead.
  • Two previous polls of the primary race by the same Republican pollster show a wide lead for Katie against her primary opponents by more than +30 points.
  • A general election poll showed Katie leading a head-to-head contest against the Republicans’ leading contender, Kari Lake, 41-37. The same poll also showed Katie leading failed gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon 43-35.
  • And after defending Arizona’s 2020 election from repeated efforts to undermine our democracy, polling consistently showed throughout 2021 that Katie has a net favorability in the double digits, including the latest poll showing a net favorability of +13 points.

Katie Faces A Flawed Republican Field
The Republican establishment fears the potency of Katie Hobbs’ candidacy. That’s why Governor Ducey has threatened to intervene in a disastrous primary that features a Trump parrot, two candidates who were already rejected statewide by Arizona voters, and a fourth candidate. The messy Republican primary has generated a race to the bottom with some of the most divisive and unpopular ideas being proposed in our state’s history. From endangering our children by putting cameras in classrooms, to ending early voting (which is overwhelmingly popular with voters), to refusing to recognize Biden as the winner of a fair and secure election, to rigid views on a woman’s right to choose, these candidates truly embody the most fringe elements of the Republican party that Arizona voters will reject.

The Bottom Line
Katie is the only candidate who has the record and the resources to take on any opponent, and she is prepared to not only flip the Arizona governor’s seat, but continue her service to Arizonans as an effective leader that will get Arizona back on track to make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family.