Senate and Hobbs Reach Compromise on Nominations Submission

Governor Katie Hobbs announced on August 14 that she received assurances from Senate President Warren Petersen to treat her nominees for state agencies more favorably than in the previous year, despite the Senate’s victory in a lawsuit against her.

However, Petersen and Senator Jake Hoffman, who was appointed to lead the special Director Nominations Committee, expressed skepticism about Hobbs’ ability to push through the same nominees whose approvals stalled last year. Petersen emphasized that if Hobbs hopes for a different outcome, she must present new and improved candidates.

Hobbs has shown no signs of reconsidering her choices, indicating a potential for another deadlock when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

A significant change is on the horizon, as a judge has determined that the governor cannot revert to her previous tactic of withdrawing nomination names and then reappointing the same individuals as “executive deputy directors.” This ruling stems from a decision made by Petersen following Hobbs’ election in 2022 to create a specialized panel for vetting agency nominees.

Historically, agency nominees were vetted by standing committees tailored to specific areas of expertise. For instance, a nominee for the Department of Health Services would be assessed by the Health Committee.

Petersen sought to enhance the vetting process for the new governor’s selections, choosing Hoffman, the Arizona Freedom Caucus founder, to lead the effort. Hoffman has vowed to conduct a thorough examination of each nomination.

He underscored the importance of this scrutiny, asserting that agency regulations often carry the weight of state laws. Hoffman believes that improved screening is essential to shield Arizonans from what he terms “unelected partisan hacks pursuing a radical political agenda.”

In response, Hobbs’ press aide, Christian Slater, targeted Hoffman, accusing him of prioritizing partisan attacks over collaboration that could support veterans, stimulate job growth, and protect children.

While some of Hobbs’ nominees were confirmed, several others remained in a state of uncertainty as Hoffman did not bring their nominations to a vote. Under state law, nominees can serve without confirmation for only a year.

Consequently, Hobbs withdrew those stalled nominations but quickly appointed the same individuals as deputy directors, effectively keeping them in charge due to the absence of confirmed agency directors.

In June, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled this maneuver as an unlawful attempt to circumvent the required legislative oversight of agency directors. Facing a potential court order, Hobbs agreed to resubmit her nominations when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

“We have an agreement with the president that our nominees will receive fair consideration,” Hobbs stated on August 14.

However, Petersen noted that the “fair consideration” hinges on Hobbs providing better nominees and improved communication in the future.

“Her picks need to be of higher quality, and there should be clearer communications to identify the best nominee possible,” Petersen commented. Hoffman reiterated that there would be no special considerations in the upcoming session, asserting that Arizona deserves agency directors who uphold the law without external influences.

He stressed that the Senate would hold Hobbs accountable following the court’s ruling that her prior actions were illegal and emphasized his expectation for improved nominee quality.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Hobbs remains resolute about her nominees, likely planning to resend the nominations of the thirteen individuals left in limbo from the previous year.

“These nominees have been vetted by a bipartisan transition committee and are highly qualified for the positions they’ve held for over a year,” she stated on August 14.

While Hobbs continues to assert that the Senate has politicized the nomination process, she is clearly seeking a resolution to the impasse.

“We will have a new Legislature in January,” Hobbs concluded, indicating her efforts to support Democratic candidates in November’s elections to alter the Republican majority in the Legislature.