Katie Hobbs wins reelection in Arizona governor's race

State of play: Hobbs, a former Arizona secretary of state and state legislator, ran alongside former Mesa Mayor John Giles — a lifelong Republican who re-registered as an independent this year. Giles will be Arizona's first lieutenant governor.

The big picture: Hobbs' win underscores Arizona's transformation from a reliable Republican stronghold into a state where both parties must fight for every victory.

• She led in nearly every poll taken this year, and national Democrats poured millions into her reelection bid.
• The Republican Governors Association didn't come to Biggs' aid.

Zoom in: Hobbs at times courted the political center, backing Republican tax breaks on tips and overtime pay, avoiding direct confrontation with President Trump, and picking Giles as her running mate.

• Hobbs and her Democratic allies also sought to paint Biggs as too extreme for Arizona, attacking his votes against sex crimes bills earlier in his career and his role as state Senate president in blocking legislation to decertify the police force in the polygamous enclave of Colorado City.

Between the lines: Hobbs also overcame two years of pay-to-play allegations involving a state contract awarded to a group home provider whose owner donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to her inauguration fund, legal defense fund and the Arizona Democratic Party.

• Attorney General Kris Mayes, a fellow Democrat, found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, though skeptical Republicans launched separate investigations.

Catch up quick: Hobbs beat former TV news anchor and MAGA firebrand Kari Lake in 2022 by just 17,000 votes.