Scotty Kirby

Katie Hobbs.

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, announced Wednesday she is running for governor in 2022.

In her launch video she broadly lists some of her goals, like rebuilding the post pandemic economy, investing in healthcare and schools, plus fighting gender, racial and class discrimination.

She also accuses the current Republican state leaders of political posturing and offering conspiracy theories referring to the controversial Maricopa County ballot audit.

"I am running for Governor to deliver transparency, accountability, and results for Arizonans, just like I have done my whole career,” Hobbs said in a release. “Right now, our state government is being run by conspiracy theorists who are more focused on political posturing than getting things done, and that needs to change. As Governor, I will do what I have always done: put aside our differences and work to solve the serious problems facing Arizona.”

The Arizona Senate’s audit of election results in Maricopa County was launched as supporters of former President Donald Trump suggested without evidence that the election was stolen, giving President Joe Biden a narrow win in Arizona.

Term limits bar current Republican Gov. Doug Ducey from running again in 2022.

Former Nogales Mayor Marco López was the first Democrat to enter the race. 

State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and Arizona Board of Regents member Karrin Taylor Robson announced their intent to seek the GOP nomination last month, and former Phoenix television news anchor Kari Lake on Tuesday entered the Republican race by filing paperwork and launching a campaign website.