Hobbs Ecstatic About Walz Joining Harris on 2024 Ticket

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her satisfaction on Tuesday following Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision to select Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, bypassing Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.

“I’ve had the chance to work with Tim Walz directly on many issues and have seen firsthand his dedication to the American people,” Hobbs said of the Minnesota Governor. She added, “I know the governors know what it takes to deliver for their states, and I am confident Gov. Walz and Vice President Harris will deliver for Arizona.”

Despite the potential benefits Kelly could have brought to the ticket, including his insight on security and immigration issues, Hobbs believes Walz’s background makes him an ideal choice. “He is America,” she stated, highlighting his experiences as a former high school teacher, football coach, hunter, and runner.

Governor Hobbs acknowledged the vice president had several qualified options to choose from. “The vice president had a lot of great people to choose from,” she said, emphasizing that it was not an easy decision.

Had Kelly been chosen and Harris won in November, it would have been the first time a vice president hailed from Arizona. Nevertheless, Hobbs remains content with the decision, despite missing the chance to select Kelly’s Senate replacement until 2026.

When asked if she believes Harris’s decision not to select Kelly could impact her chances in Arizona, Hobbs did not directly answer. “Honestly, I think that, again, she had a lot of good choices,” she said, confident in the campaign’s ability to connect with voters nationwide, including in Arizona.

Harris and Walz are scheduled to visit Arizona on Friday as part of a multi-state tour. Stops include Philadelphia, Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Detroit; Durham, North Carolina; Savanna, Georgia; Phoenix; and Las Vegas.

Hobbs also made it clear she is not eyeing a spot in the potential Harris-Walz administration. “I’m governor of Arizona, and that’s my plan for the next six years,” she said, predicting her own reelection in 2026.