Katie Hobbs Sworn In as Arizona’s 24th Governor, Promising to Work Hard for All Arizonans

Katie Hobbs was sworn in Monday as Arizona’s 24th governor, the first Democrat to hold the office since 2009. Hobbs and other new top Arizona officials were sworn into office during a ceremony in the Capitol Executive Tower in Phoenix.

The swearing-in ceremony was not open to the public or media, but was livestreamed. Hobbs was surrounded by her parents, husband and two children as she took the oath of office in the lobby of the governor’s office on the ninth floor of the executive tower on the Capitol grounds. The ceremony came after a judge threw out a lawsuit by Republican challenger Kari Lake challenging the election results. Lake had argued that the state’s voting system was vulnerable to fraud and that the election should be overturned. Hobbs, a former state senator and secretary of state, won the election by more than 45,000 votes. In her inaugural speech, Hobbs said she was “humbled and honored” to serve as governor and promised to “work hard to ensure that all Arizonans have the opportunity to thrive.”

Hobbs was surrounded by her parents, husband and two children as she took the oath of office in the lobby of the governor’s office on the ninth floor of the executive tower on the Capitol grounds. The ceremony was not open to the public or media, but was livestreamed.

The swearing-in ceremony came after a judge threw out a lawsuit by Republican challenger Kari Lake challenging the election results. Lake had argued that the state’s voting system was vulnerable to fraud and that the election should be overturned. Hobbs won the election by more than 45,000 votes.

In her inaugural speech, Hobbs said she was “humbled and honored” to serve as governor and promised to “work hard to ensure that all Arizonans have the opportunity to thrive.” She also thanked her supporters, saying, “I am so grateful for the trust you have placed in me.”

Democrat Kris Mayes and Republican Tom Horne were also sworn in as attorney general and superintendent of public instruction, respectively, after a mandatory recount reaffirmed their victories last week. Arizona’s Constitution requires statewide elected officials to begin their terms the first Monday in January, even on federal holidays, according to the governor’s office.