Republicans Seize Early Legislative Momentum to Challenge Hobbs’ Reelection

The Arizona Legislature’s opening week set the stage for a contentious 2025 session, as Republican lawmakers outlined their strategy to challenge Governor Katie Hobbs in the 2026 election. Key players from the GOP are communicating their intention to portray Hobbs as disconnected from state priorities.

During a news conference by the Freedom Caucus, along with rebuttals to Hobbs’ State of the State Address, Republicans seized the opportunity to frame their narrative. They assert that the Governor’s Office is “out of touch” with what Arizonans consider pressing issues, focusing on the need for a change in leadership.

Senator Jake Hoffman, the Arizona Freedom Caucus chairman, is notably vocal in this campaign. While GOP members mention urgent topics like border security and affordability, Hoffman’s primary goal is to unseat the current Democratic administration. “Our foremost task in the next two years is to fire Katie Hobbs, Kris Mayes, and Adrian Fontes,” he stated emphatically.

In her State of the State Address, Governor Hobbs urged lawmakers to prioritize the current legislative session over political aspirations. “For too long, politicians have been focused on the wrong things,” she remarked, calling for a united front to serve the citizens of Arizona.

Hobbs’ message received criticism from newly-elected House Speaker Steve Montenegro, who contended her speech failed to acknowledge the voters’ concerns from the last election cycle. Montenegro emphasized that the electorate’s rejection of Hobbs’ vision resulted in stronger Republican majorities and reiterated their commitment to addressing Arizonans’ priorities.

Senate President Warren Petersen backed Montenegro’s claims, asserting that Arizona families seek tangible solutions to realize their aspirations rather than government dependency. “They don’t want the government dictating their lives,” Petersen stated in a video rebuttal following Hobbs’ address.

While Republicans and the Governor show consensus on key issues like affordability, border security, and housing, significant disagreements on the approaches to these matters remain. Even amid their critiques of Hobbs, GOP members recognize a potential for bipartisanship, as Montenegro suggested, depending on the proposals introduced by both sides.

Hoffman, however, attributed many of the state’s issues to Hobbs’ leadership, stressing that her administration has negatively impacted Arizona’s safety and affordability. His critical remarks directed toward state agencies further illustrated the GOP’s strategy to hold the administration accountable during needed reviews.

The Senate Government hearing provided Hoffman with a moment to disparage a new state logo, questioning the rationale behind a costly redesign. “Were you directed by anybody in the Governor’s Office to use this God-awful, $750,000 logo?” he asked, highlighting growing frustrations over state expenditures.

Despite calls for leadership change, Hoffman did not propose any alternatives for Republican candidates to challenge Hobbs, though Karrin Taylor Robson appears poised for a run. After receiving Donald Trump’s endorsement, Hoffman’s criticism of Robson’s past policies pointed to divisions within the party.

As the 2026 election nears, Petersen reiterated a willingness to collaborate with Hobbs where their goals align, underscoring the complexity of forging effective governance amid a divided political landscape.