Katie Hobbs delivers victory speech after projected win in governor’s race

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Katie Hobbs took the stage Tuesday morning after the Associated Press and other networks, including CBS, projected Hobbs as the winner in the hotly contested Arizona gubernatorial race. “I am honored to stand before you as Governor-elect Katie Hobbs,” she announced.

In a toss-up race, Hobbs defeated Republican opponent Kari Lake. “In this election, Arizonans chose solving our problems over conspiracy theories. We chose sanity over chaos. And we chose unity over division,” Hobbs said. “But the attacks on democracy won’t end today with this victory. So it is on all of us to continue to defend it.”

Part of her message focused on major Democratic talking points, including reproductive care. She says education, living wages, and jobs will be her top priority, along with abortion. Still, she says she aims to become a governor that wants to work with all residents. “For those Arizonans who didn’t vote for me, know that I will work just as hard for you,” she said.

Hobbs says she ran her campaign on bipartisanship and overcoming gridlock. “That’s what Arizonans do. We persevere in the face of challenges. And as your governor, I will do everything in my power to get the job done for you,” she said.

Some Arizonans flocked to listen to Hobbs’ speech. Lydia Guzman said she supported reproductive care Hobbs was pushing for. “This is a right that should be between a woman and her doctor. I mean, I voted for Katie because of that,” said Guzman.

Conrad Carraseo, a member of the Carpenter’s Union, says the group is split when it comes to politics but the end result leaned more toward Hobbs over Lake. “We don’t vote Democrat. Our membership is split 50/50. We always leave it up to our membership and this is how it turned out,” said Carraseo. “She supports jobs, wages, and benefits. That’s what we always go after.”

“She’s down to earth. She’s one of us. We are all union brothers and sisters and she’s been with us since the beginning,” said Jeff Clak, a letter carrier.

Later in the day, the White House press pool says President Biden called Hobbs from Indonesia to offer congratulations.

Hobbs first released a statement after the race was called just after 7 p.m. Monday, saying, “Democracy is worth the wait. Thank you, Arizona. I am so honored and so proud to be your next Governor.”

Lake took to Twitter after the race was called, hinting at fraud. She tweeted on Sunday night, “Arizonans know BS when they see it.” The Lake campaign has not elaborated further, and it’s unclear if a call has been made to concede the race or if they will request a recount.

The Associated Press explained their race call in a late-night story, saying even though “Lake had been posting increasingly larger margins in vote updates from Maricopa County, she was not gaining a big enough share to overtake Hobbs.”

As of Monday night, there were 43,000 remaining votes to count in Arizona, according to state officials, including more than 17,000 early ballots. Hobbs’ margin is just under 20,000 votes: 1,267,241 to Lake’s 1,247,859.

See the list of election results here.

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