PHOENIX – Today, Gov. Katie Hobbs launched Native Americans for Katie, a coalition of Native leaders, community members, and elected officials working to re-elect her. Hobbs made history as the first Arizona governor to deliver an annual Tribal State of the State Address, and to visit all 22 federally recognized Tribal Nations in Arizona. The launch of the coalition represents a key pillar of her campaign, underscoring her commitment to earning the support of every Arizonan, including Native families across the state.
“Tribal Nations are part of what makes Arizona strong, and leadership means showing up and listening,” said Katie Hobbs. “Since day one, I’ve worked hand in hand with Tribal leaders to deliver real investments in healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure for Native families while respecting Tribal sovereignty. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and I’ll keep working to ensure Tribal communities have a strong voice in Arizona’s future.”
Native voters have been a key constituency for the Hobbs campaign, and she’s backed it up with consistent presence in Tribal communities — meeting with Native voters and community leaders across the state for cultural celebrations and conversations. She met with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to discuss removing barriers to voting in Tribal communities, and early in her campaign earned the endorsement of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Most recently, Hobbs and John Giles visited the Navajo Nation, where they stopped by the Chinle Flea Market, visited the Ganado Chapter House, and marched in the 78th Annual Navajo Nation Fair Parade.
Hobbs has a long history of prioritizing Tribal engagement going back to her time as secretary of state. And as governor, Katie has consistently delivered for Tribal communities — investing in healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety, while honoring Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. She established the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force and the Turquoise Alert to speed up law enforcement responses to reports of missing Indigenous persons, and revived the Greater Arizona Development Authority to help Tribal governments and rural communities fund public infrastructure projects. Katie also expanded Tribal healthcare access and secured Medicaid coverage for traditional healing services.
Native Americans for Katie coalition members include:
-
Sherry Cordova, Cocopah Tribe, Chairwoman
-
Martin Harvier, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, President
-
Julian Hernandez, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Chairman
-
Verlon Jose, Tohono O’odham Nation, Chairman
-
Stephen R. Lewis, Gila River Indian Community, Governor
-
Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation, President
-
Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Chairman
-
Crystalyne Curley, Navajo Nation Council, Speaker
-
Tao Etpison, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Vice Chairman
-
Ricardo Leonard, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Vice President
-
Lena Fowler, Coconino County Supervisor
-
Alton Joe Shepherd, Apache County Supervisor
-
Dawnafe Whitesinger, Navajo County Supervisor
-
Mae Peshlakai, State Representative
-
Jamescita Peshlakai, former State Senator
-
Chris Deschene, former State Representative
-
Arlando Teller, former USDOT Appointee and former State Representative
-
Ginger Sykes Torres, former USDA Appointee and Business Leader
-
Kim Kanuho, Business Leader
-
Jennifer Miller, Business Leader
-
Sheila Morago, Business Leader
-
Richard Perry, Business Leader
-
Valerie Spicer, Business Leader
-
Alfred Urbina, Indian Law Attorney
-
Loren Marshall, AZ Native Dems, Apache Democrats Chair
-
Jerry Gloshay, Chief of Staff to White Mountain Apache Vice-Chairman, Apache Radio personality
-
April Ignacio, Co-Founder of Indivisible Tohono
-
Annamarie Stevens, Co-Founder of Indivisible Tohono
-
Elayne Gregg, Indivisible Tohono Board of Directors
-
Pachynne Ignacio, Indivisible Tohono Board of Directors
-
Meliza Poleahla, Social Worker
-
KeAndre David, Student Leader
