Swing-State Democrat Taps ‘Republican’ Running Mate

Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is hoping to secure another four years in the governor’s mansion by adding a former “Republican” mayor to her ticket who backed Kamala Harris for president and was censured by a local conservative group.

In a joint video statement on Tuesday, Hobbs touted her running mate, former Mesa Mayor John Giles, as a card-carrying conservative without mentioning his more recent Democratic voting record.

“The first thing I looked for in a running mate was someone who shares that value of putting Arizonans ahead of partisan politics. That’s why I’m proud to introduce my running mate, former Mesa Mayor John Giles.” 

For the first time, voters in the Grand Canyon State will elect a lieutenant governor as part of the gubernatorial ticket after approving a ballot measure that created the position in 2022 — setting up a major test for Hobbs as she battles Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) in a closely watched reelection fight.

“I was a lifelong Republican before becoming an independent because extremists shouldn’t stand in the way of getting things done,” Giles said. “I’m proud to join Katie Hobbs as her candidate for lieutenant governor, because Katie will continue to put Arizona first.”

During the 2024 election, Giles, who served as Mesa’s mayor from 2014 to 2025, made national headlines after endorsing Harris for president in an op-ed that accused the Trump-led GOP of becoming consumed by extremism. Before that, Giles endorsed Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly over Republican Blake Masters and Hobbs over MAGA firebrand Kari Lake — moves that infuriated Republicans and prompted at least one Republican group to censure him formally.

“Since Donald Trump refused to accept the outcome of the 2020 election, Republicans have yet to course correct,” he said at the time. “The Republican Party with Trump at its helm continues down the path of political extremism, away from focusing on our fundamental freedoms.”

Hobbs is the latest swing-state Democrat to tout crossover Republican support for political clout as the national party struggles to stop a surging socialist takeover that threatens to alienate key swing voters.

The Daily Wire previously uncovered how leftist outlet MS NOW aired a segment featuring three Texas women who identified themselves as Republicans and vowed to cross over for James Talarico – but records show at least some of them have voted in Democratic primaries and donated to liberal candidates and causes.

During the segment, former school board candidate Mindy McClure described herself as a “moderate Republican.” Federal Election Commission filings, however, show McClure repeatedly gave money through ActBlue to Democratic candidates and anti-Trump groups dating back to 2018, including the Lincoln Project and Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.

“Republicans for Talarico is as real as the six genders that Talarico claims exist, but has yet to explain what they are. This lame rebrand of White Dudes for Kamala is full of lifelong Democrat donors, activists, and other losers,” RNC spokesman Zach Kraft said in a statement to The Daily Wire.