DemocratKatie Hobbshas won the race for Arizona governor, defeating former television news anchor andDonald TrumployalistKari Lakeon Monday in one of the nation’s last races to be called.
Hobbs will replace incumbent Republican Gov.Doug Ducey, who was term limited from seeking reelection in Arizona, which was become a major battleground as the state has become increasingly favorable to Democrats after years of voting red.
Hobbs, who currently serves as Arizona’s secretary of state, previously drew scorn from Trump supporters for defending the state’s 2020 elections against unfounded allegations of widespread fraud (a role that led her to be on thereceiving end of death threats). Her role in preserving the integrity of that election introduced her to the national stage, and ultimately led to the gubernatorial bid.
Gov.-elect Katie Hobbs.Kevin Dietsch/Getty
In the general election on Tuesday, Hobbs faced far-right candidate Lake, whose approach to campaigning took on a much more alarmist tone.
Kari Lake.Justin Sullivan/Getty
She also falsely and repeatedly insisted “there’s a lot of corruption” in the electoral system. She has previously called for officials in charge of the 2020 election to be jailed and said that if she were governor at the time, she would not have certified the state’s vote for PresidentJoe Biden.
In the period of time that the candidates waited for ballots to be counted, Lake went on an alt-right media tour, casting doubt on the validity of her own election.
“The people of Arizona are sick and tired of elections being run like we’re in some banana republic, and we won’t have it anymore. We’re going to win this, everybody in this state knows we’re going to win it,” she said in an appearance on Newsmax Thursday. “I was running against a basement candidate who didn’t even campaign, didn’t debate, and the people didn’t vote for her. There was zero excitement, and this is ridiculous.”
Katie Hobbs.Christian Petersen/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
“The other side isn’t offering policies to make our lives better,” Hobbs said. “They’re offering conspiracies that only make our lives worse.”
Hobbs' triumph over Lake sent a clear message echoed in several other races around the nation this year: Voters are ready to leave the politics of division behind and make America civil again.
source: people.com
