(The Center Square)— Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes was pressed on his reported consideration to challenge Gov. Katie Hobbs in the 2026 gubernatorial primary.
“I’m Adrian Fontes, and for now, I’m the Secretary of State,” Fontes said while flanked by both Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes during the statewide election canvass on Monday morning at the state capitol.
Politico reported that Fontes has had conversations about a possible bid after Republicans grew their majority in both chambers of the state legislature in this election. He confirmed the chatter to the Arizona Republic, but it’s unclear if he’s any closer to making a decision on a run.
“Both the governor and I continue to work well together to make sure there are free and fair elections, and that’s what today is all about,” he said when asked by Axios shortly after his “for now” quip, brushing off “what other people are talking about.”
“But for now, I’m very happy being secretary of state, and I’m very happy to work with Gov. Katie Hobbs,” he later added.
Hobbs defeated Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 election by just over 17,000 votes. Nobody has announced their election bid on the Republican side.
“I didn’t hear what you’re referring to,” Hobbs said when asked about the secretary’s remark at the celebration for the passage of Proposition 139 on Monday afternoon.
“I’m not thinking about the next election right now,” she added.
