If you're asking is Katie Hobbs running for re-election, the short answer is a loud, clear yes. She didn't just quietly file some papers in a dark room; she basically kicked the door down last October. It’s funny how people still wonder about this, maybe because Arizona politics feels like a 24/7 fever dream where everything is up in the air until the very last second.
Honestly, Hobbs hasn't just announced; she's been running full tilt for months. She officially launched her 2026 campaign on October 8, 2025. It came with the usual bells and whistles—a slick video titled "Arizona Stories," some heavy-hitting endorsements, and a massive pile of cash.
The Current State of the 2026 Race
Right now, we are sitting in early 2026, and the machinery is huming. Hobbs is trying to play the "adult in the room" card. Her campaign is leaning hard into the idea that while Washington is a mess, she’s actually getting things done in Phoenix. You've probably heard her talk about the $1.4 billion deficit she says she turned into a balanced budget. It's a cornerstone of her "practical leader" pitch.
💡 You might also like: The 3 Branches of US Federal Government Explained (Simply)
But let's be real: Arizona is a purple-bruise state. Nothing is ever easy here.
The Republicans aren't exactly rolling over. They have a primary coming up on August 4, 2026, and it’s looking like a total slugfest. You’ve got Rep. Andy Biggs, who is currently the frontrunner in the GOP polls, Rep. David Schweikert, and Karrin Taylor Robson. They’re all fighting to see who gets to take a swing at Hobbs in November.
Why the Incumbency Advantage is Tricky Here
Being the incumbent usually means you're safe. Not in Arizona. Hobbs has a job approval rating that hovers around 39-44% depending on which poll you look at (Emerson and Noble Predictive have been tracking this closely). That’s not "safe" territory; it's "work for every vote" territory.
She's banking on a few specific things to carry her through:
- Fundraising: She has absolutely crushed it. As of January 2026, she’s raised nearly $15 million. That is a mountain of money compared to her challengers, who are currently spending their cash just to beat each other in the primary.
- The "Sanity" Angle: Her team calls it "putting sanity over chaos." They want voters to remember the wild 2022 election and think, "Do we really want to go back to that?"
- Bipartisanship: She talks a lot about working with the GOP-led legislature. Whether you believe she’s actually bipartisan or just forced to be because of the math, she’s making it a central part of her brand.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Election
People often assume the 2024 presidential results will just repeat themselves in the 2026 governor's race. That’s a mistake. Arizona voters are notorious for split-ticket voting. They might pick a Republican for President and a Democrat for Governor in the same breath.
Another thing people miss? The new Lieutenant Governor rule.
This is the first time in Arizona history that candidates have to run with a teammate. It changes the chemistry of the whole race. Hobbs hasn't just got to sell herself; she has to pick a partner who doesn't turn off the independent voters in Maricopa County. It's a high-stakes game of political Tetris.
The Issues That Will Actually Decide This
Forget the national talking points for a second. In Arizona, the 2026 race is going to live and die on three things:
- Water: If you live here, you know. The Colorado River is the lifeblood, and Hobbs has been trying to claim the "tough on water" mantle, even standing up to her own party at times.
- Affordability: This is the big one. Rent is high. Groceries are high. Hobbs is trying to point to tax cuts for families, while the GOP is blaming her for economic stewardship.
- The Border: It’s always the border. Even though it's a federal issue, the Governor gets judged on it. Hobbs sent the National Guard down there, which was a clear move to protect her right flank before the re-election cycle really heated up.
The Road to November 3, 2026
If you're keeping a calendar, here are the dates that actually matter.
The filing deadline is April 6, 2026. After that, the "maybe" candidates are gone. Then we hit the primary on August 4. That’s when we’ll know if Hobbs is facing Biggs, Robson, or someone else. The general election happens on November 3, 2026.
Wait, why does this feel so intense already? Because Arizona is one of only five Democratic-held governorships in states that went for Trump in 2024. The national parties are going to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into our local airwaves. It’s going to get loud.
Actionable Steps for Arizona Voters
If you want to stay on top of the is Katie Hobbs running for re-election saga, don't just wait for the TV commercials to tell you what to think.
- Check Your Registration: The deadline to register for the primary is July 6, 2026. For the general, it's October 5. You can do this in about two minutes at the Secretary of State's website.
- Follow the Money: Look at the campaign finance reports. If a candidate starts losing donors in April, they're likely toast by August.
- Watch the Lieutenant Governor Picks: This is the "tell." Who Hobbs picks for her running mate will tell you exactly which group of voters she's worried about losing.
The bottom line? Hobbs is in it to win it. She has the money and the incumbency, but in a state as unpredictable as Arizona, that’s just the entry fee. The real fight starts once the GOP primary field thins out and the attack ads start hitting the mailboxes in earnest.
To stay informed on the specific candidates and their platforms as we approach the April filing deadline, you should regularly monitor the Arizona Secretary of State’s official candidate portal and the Clean Elections commission for upcoming debate schedules.