History of Katie Hobbs in Timeline

Katie Hobbs is an American politician currently serving as the 24th Governor of Arizona, since 2023. As a member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as Arizona's Secretary of State from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that, she was a member of the Arizona Legislature from 2011 to 2019, demonstrating a lengthy career in Arizona politics before ascending to the governorship.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

December 28, 1969: Kathleen Marie Hobbs Born

On December 28, 1969, Kathleen Marie Hobbs was born. She is an American politician who has been serving as the 24th governor of Arizona since 2023.

1992: Met Patrick Goodman

In 1992, Katie Hobbs met Patrick Goodman at church.

1992: Received Bachelor's Degree

In 1992, Katie Hobbs received a bachelor's degree in social work from Northern Arizona University.

1995: Received Master's Degree

In 1995, Katie Hobbs received a master's degree in social work from Arizona State University.

1995: Richard Mahoney left office

Katie Hobbs was the first democrat to hold the post since Richard Mahoney left office in 1995

1996: Married Patrick Goodman

In 1996, Katie Hobbs married Patrick Goodman.

2005: Previous Veto Record Set

In 2005, Janet Napolitano vetoed 58 total bills.

2008: Delegate for Hillary Clinton

In 2008, Katie Hobbs was a delegate for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention.

2010: Elected to the Arizona House of Representatives

In 2010, Katie Hobbs was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives, representing the 15th legislative district alongside Lela Alston.

2012: Elected to the Arizona Senate

In 2012, Katie Hobbs was elected to the Arizona Senate, representing the 24th legislative district.

2012: Ran for State Senate

In 2012, after serving one term in the House of Representatives, Katie Hobbs ran for state senate.

2014: Re-elected to Arizona Senate

In 2014, Katie Hobbs was re-elected to the Arizona State Senate.

2015: Became Senate Minority Leader

In 2015, Katie Hobbs became the minority leader in the Arizona Senate.

2015: Complaint regarding racial discrimination.

In 2015, during Katie Hobbs's first term as minority leader, Senate staffer Talonya Adams, a Black woman, complained about racial and gender-based discrimination.

2016: Re-elected to Arizona Senate

In 2016, Katie Hobbs was re-elected to the Arizona State Senate.

March 8, 2017: Announced Candidacy for Arizona Secretary of State

On March 8, 2017, Katie Hobbs announced her candidacy for Arizona secretary of state.

2017: Previous Execution Conducted

In 2017 Virginia executed William Morva under Governor Terry McAuliffe.

November 6, 2018: Associated Press Prematurely Called Race for Gaynor

On November 6, 2018, the Associated Press prematurely called the race for Steve Gaynor, Hobbs's opponent, in the election for Arizona Secretary of State.

January 7, 2019: Sworn in as Secretary of State

On January 7, 2019, Katie Hobbs was sworn in as secretary of state of Arizona.

2020: Hobbs Critized Audit of Election Results

In 2020, The Arizona Senate Republicans provided funds for an audit aimed at contesting the 2020 presidential election results in Maricopa County and Hobbs stated that the audit's chain of custody was lacking.

2020: Commission on homelessness and housing abolished

The commission on homelessness and housing was abolished in 2020.

June 2, 2021: Announced Candidacy for Governor

On June 2, 2021, Katie Hobbs announced her candidacy for governor of Arizona in the 2022 election.

September 2021: Cyber Ninjas Released Report

In September 2021, Cyber Ninjas, the company that conducted the audit, released a report finding no proof of fraud in the 2020 election. The ballot recount increased Biden's margin of victory by 360 votes.

November 2021: Adams wins Discrimination Lawsuit

In November 2021, Talonya Adams won a discrimination lawsuit related to her firing and was awarded a judgment of $2.75 million.

2021: COVID-19 Relief Funds to Forgive Medical Debts

In 2021, Hobbs used the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to task the RIP Medical Debt organization to buy medical debt.

2021: Criticized Audit of 2020 Election Results

In 2021, Katie Hobbs criticized the audit of the 2020 presidential election results in Maricopa County, calling it "a significant departure from standard best practices".

December 2022: Selected Allie Bones as Chief of Staff

In December 2022, Katie Hobbs selected Allie Bones, the Arizona assistant secretary of state, as her chief of staff.

January 2, 2023: Sworn in as Governor

On January 2, 2023, Katie Hobbs was sworn in as the governor of Arizona in a private ceremony.

January 20, 2023: Ordered Death Penalty Review

On January 20, 2023, Katie Hobbs ordered a review of the state's death penalty protocols.

March 2023: Arizona Supreme Court Declined to Hear Lake's Lawsuit

In March 2023, the Arizona Supreme Court declined to hear Kari Lake's lawsuit contesting the 2022 gubernatorial election results, reaffirming its decision after a trial in May.

April 18, 2023: Set Record for Most Vetoes

On April 18, 2023, Katie Hobbs set a new record for the most vetoes issued by an Arizona governor in a single legislative session, with 63 vetoes.

May 2023: Announced Bus Routes to Transport Migrants

In May 2023, Katie Hobbs announced that the state will establish five new bus routes to transport migrants from small border communities to Tucson.

May 2023: Banned from Russia

In May 2023, the Russian government added Katie Hobbs to a list of people permanently banned from entering Russia.

May 25, 2023: Allie Bones Resigned

On May 25, 2023, Allie Bones, the Arizona assistant secretary of state and Hobbs's chief of staff, resigned.

December 17, 2023: Ordered Arizona National Guard to Border

On December 17, 2023, Katie Hobbs issued an executive order ordering the Arizona National Guard to the border with Mexico to help federal officials manage an influx of migrants.

March 2024: COVID-19 Relief Funds to Forgive Medical Debts

In March 2024, Katie Hobbs announced that Arizona would use $30 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds to forgive Arizonans' medical debts.

March 2024: Vetoed Housing Supply Legislation

In March 2024, Katie Hobbs vetoed bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing Arizona's housing supply, stating that the bill was "a step too far" and had "unclear outcomes".

April 9, 2024: Arizona Supreme Court Reinstated Abortion Ban

On April 9, 2024, The Arizona Supreme Court reinstated a near-total abortion ban from 1864.

May 2, 2024: Signed Bill to Repeal Abortion Ban

On May 2, 2024, Katie Hobbs signed a bill to repeal a near-total abortion ban from 1864 that the Arizona Supreme Court had reinstated on April 9, 2024.