PHOENIX – Today, Gov. Katie Hobbs is proud to announce the first endorsement of her campaign: the Arizona AFL-CIO, which represents over 185,000 union members and over 200 union affiliates in Arizona, because of her strong record of championing working families and creating good-paying jobs.
“Gov. Hobbs has delivered for workers at every turn — from protecting jobsite safety in extreme heat, to expanding apprenticeships, to making sure Arizona’s economic growth actually benefits the people doing the work,” said Fred Yamashita, Executive Director and Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO. “She doesn’t just talk about supporting labor — she shows up, she listens, and she delivers. That’s the kind of leadership Arizona workers deserve and why we are proud to endorse her for re-election.”
“I’m honored to have this early endorsement because I grew up in a working-class family in Tempe and know what it’s like to struggle, which is why I’ve spent every day fighting for hardworking Arizona families,” said Gov. Katie Hobbs. “Whether it’s protecting workers on the job to expanding career training opportunities, and slashing medical debt for families, I’ve made it my mission to make sure Arizona’s economy works for the people who keep it running. There’s still more work to do, but I know what hardworking families across this state are going through – and that’s exactly who I’m fighting for every single day.”
Since taking office, Gov. Hobbs has made protecting and championing working families a cornerstone of her administration, including:
- Launched a first-in-the-nation Heat Stress State Emphasis Plan to protect outdoor workers with requirements for water, shade, and rest on the hottest days;
- Brokered a historic labor agreement at TSMC, ensuring safety, training pipelines, and good-paying jobs for Arizona workers on high-tech projects;
- Created the Talent Ready AZ Initiative and established a first-of-its-kind Workforce Cabinet to align education, training, and economic agencies around one goal: connecting Arizonans to good-paying jobs in fast-growing industries like clean energy, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing;
- Doubling the number of apprenticeships through the BuildItAZ initiative, with new investments and partnerships to train the next generation of trades professionals;
- Delivered paid parental leave, childcare investments, and healthcare expansions for working families, including canceling $2 billion in medical debt, benefitting over one million Arizonans.
