PHOENIX (AP) – Katie Hobbs was sworn into office Monday as Arizona’s 24th governor and the first Democrat to hold the post since 2009.
Hobbs was sworn in during a private ceremony at the state Capitol where he officially took over from Republican Doug Ducey. Public inaugurations for governors and others who take statewide office are scheduled for Thursday.
Hobbs was surrounded by his parents, wife and two children as he took the oath of office in the lobby of the governor’s office on the ninth floor of the executive tower on the Capitol grounds, according to a livestream of the event, which was not public. to the public or the media. Her mother’s overjoyed cries disturbed the arriving governor, who stopped to joke, “Stop it, Mom!”
After that, he took a photo with his family and signed the certificate.
Hobbs is the outgoing secretary of state and was previously a state legislator who was the top Democrat in the Senate. As governor, he must work with a Republican-controlled House and Senate. The new legislature holds its first meeting next week.
Hobbs assumes control of the state with a strong economy and solid financial position, with budget surpluses forecast for the next fiscal year.
But there is a headwind on the horizon. Phoenix has some of the highest inflation rates in the country and housing costs are rising as population growth rapidly outpaces housing construction, negating the state’s reputation for affordability. And the water supply is depleted due to drought.
Hobbs defeated Republican Kari Lake, a former television anchor backed by former President Donald Trump. He excited conservatives by supporting Trump, including his lies about the 2020 election, and his strong criticism of mask mandates and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But he’s struggling to connect with Arizona’s general electorate, which has repeatedly turned away from Trump-aligned Republicans going back to the 2018 midterms.
Hobbs is the fifth woman to serve as governor of Arizona. The last Democratic governor was Janet Napolitano, who resigned in January 2009 to become US Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama. He was replaced by Republican Governor Jan Brewer.
The Arizona Constitution says that state officials take office on the first Monday in January. When Hobbs took office as scheduled, the public ceremony was postponed because Monday was the New Year’s holiday.
Also taking office Monday were Democrats Adrian Fontes as secretary of state and Kris Mayes as attorney general, both defeating Trump-backed Republicans who refused to concede and unsuccessfully challenged their losses in court. Mayes’ 280-vote victory was among the closest statewide races in Arizona history.
Kimberly Yee was sworn in for a second term as state treasurer and Tom Horne as superintendent of public instruction, a role he filled for two terms since 2003. Paul Marsh was sworn in as mine inspector. Yee, Horne and Marsh are Republicans.
For Hobbs, the oath of office was administered by Roopali Desai, a newly confirmed judge of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals who previously represented Democrats in election cases and Hobbs as secretary of state.
Chief Justice Robert Brutinel swore in other state officials.