Story perspectives

Arizona Parties Choose LDS Running Mates for New Lieutenant Governor

8/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) named Mesa mayor John Giles—who became an independent on May 17 and entered the primary—as the Democratic lieutenant-governor candidate.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) selected former state lawmaker Sine Kerr as his running mate and called the opponent extreme partisan.
Arizona will add the lieutenant-governor office in January, with the candidates members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) comprising 6% of the state.

History

Historical Context

Arizona voters approved Proposition 131 in November 2022, creating a lieutenant-governor office with 55 percent support and helping Democrat Katie Hobbs win the governorship. The amendment means the 2026 gubernatorial race will be the first requiring each candidate to name a running mate, a change that now shapes party strategies and candidate selections.

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Story summary

Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) named Mesa mayor John Giles—who became an independent on May 17 and entered the primary—as the Democratic lieutenant-governor candidate.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) selected former state lawmaker Sine Kerr as his running mate and called the opponent extreme partisan.
Arizona will add the lieutenant-governor office in January, with the candidates members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) comprising 6% of the state.

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