Scoop: Gov. Katie Hobbs' reported running mate left GOP
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Former Mesa Mayor John Giles. Photo: Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Former Mesa Mayor John Giles, reportedly the lieutenant governor pick for Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, formally left the Republican party in May, records obtained by Axios show.
Why it matters: Hobbs needs to appeal to moderate voters in her tight race for reelection. Giles is seen by some as a candidate who could help broaden her appeal, though it's unclear what his leaving the GOP means for that.
Catch up quick: The Hobbs campaign has not announced Giles' selection and has declined to comment on it. Giles did not return multiple calls and texts from Axios about his party change.
- The campaign of Hobbs' opponent, Andy Biggs, declined to comment to Axios on Giles party switch, though it has promoted a website attacking the presumed Democratic running mates.
Zoom in: Axios obtained Giles' voter records from the Maricopa County Recorder's Office via public records request. The records show that Giles switched from the Republican Party to "no party preference" in May.
- Records show that Giles, who was Mesa's mayor 2014-2025, first registered as a Republican in 1986 and, until this year, has voted as a Republican in every primary and general election since at least 1998.
- Giles briefly switched to independent once before, in 2011, but became a Republican again months later. There was no election that year.
- After ditching the GOP this year, Giles voted in the Democratic primary. Arizona allows independents to receive a party primary ballot of their choice.
Context: Much of Giles' appeal has come from being a Republican who has supported Democrats as the GOP has become more extreme under the leadership of President Donald Trump.
- Giles endorsed Hobbs during her original governor campaign against Kari Lake in 2022.
- He was also a vocal supporter of Kamala Harris against Trump in 2024, speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that year. At that event, he said he felt "more at home here than in today's Republican Party."
State of play: Giles is not legally required to drop the GOP to run with Hobbs, leaving his switch to independent status up for interpretation.
- The measure that created the lieutenant governor position, passed by Arizona voters in 2022, contains no requirement for governor and lieutenant governor candidates to be members of the same party.
- Giles' switch could make him less marketable to moderate Republicans, or it could be seen as an effort to placate liberal voters who wouldn't want to see a Republican on a Democratic ticket.
The bottom line: Until Hobbs and Giles confirm he's the pick, the significance of his party switch will only add fuel to the rumor mill.