Katie Hobbs took the oath of office Monday to become Arizona’s 24th governor and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2009.
Watch the private ceremony in the player below:
Power transferred in a private ceremony at the state Capitol as Hobbs formally took over from Republican Doug Ducey. A public inauguration for Hobbs and others taking statewide offices is scheduled for Thursday.
Along with Governor Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes were sworn in.
For the first time since 1975, the top three statewide elected offices in Arizona are being held by Democrats; previously the party held these offices together when Governor Raul Castro, Secretary of State Wesley Bolin and Attorney General Bruce Babbit were sworn in.
Kimberly Yee was sworn in for her second term as state treasurer and Tom Horne as superintendent of public instruction, a role he filled for two terms beginning in 2003. Yee and Horne are both Republicans.
The public inauguration will take place Thursday. Through a maze of security fencing, work crews are busy transforming the State Capitol to accommodate the large crowd which is expected to attend.
Before leaving his office for the last time, Governor Doug Ducey said goodbye to his staff. Some of them have been with Ducey for his entire 8 years in office.
Governor Ducey left a handwritten note in his desk for Governor Hobbs, wishing Hobbs the best.
It said, in part, "It is the greatest job in politics and an immense responsibility. I know you will serve the people of Arizona well."
Read the full letter below.
Hobbs is the outgoing secretary of state and was previously a state legislator who rose to be the top Democrat in the Senate. As governor, she'll have to work with a House and Senate narrowly controlled by Republicans. The new Legislature convenes for the first time next week.
Hobbs assumes control of a state with a strong economy and a solid financial position, with a large budget surplus forecast for the next fiscal year.
But there are headwinds on the horizon. Phoenix has some of the nation's highest inflation levels and housing costs have soared as rapid population growth has outpaced home construction, belying the state's reputation for affordability. And the water supply is constrained by drought.
Hobbs narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake, a former television anchor who was backed by former President Donald Trump. She excited conservatives with her staunch backing of Trump, including his lies about the 2020 election, and her strong criticism of mask mandates and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But she struggled to connect with Arizona's general electorate, which has repeatedly eschewed Republicans closely aligned with Trump going back to the 2018 midterms.
Hobbs will be the fifth woman to be Arizona governor. The last Democratic governor was Janet Napolitano, who resigned in January 2009 to be U.S. Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama. She was replaced by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer.
Hobbs has already announced her "First 100 Days Initiative" efforts in office, signing executive orders to protect employment opportunity.
Today, I began my First 100 Days Initiative by signing an executive order to protect employment opportunity. #Hobbs100 pic.twitter.com/5S6G7TDaoT
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) January 2, 2023
The Arizona Constitution says state officers take their position on the first Monday in January. While Hobbs will take office on schedule, the public ceremony was delayed because Monday is the observed New Year holiday.
