Gillette Excoriates Hobbs over New Veto Record

Representative John Gillette (R-30), who recently made news by announcing he would not seek re-election in 2026, gave the Arizona Globe an exclusive response to Governor Katie Hobbs breaking her single-session veto record. Hobbs, a Democrat, has made no secret of her unwillingness to support the Republican-led legislature, having vetoed 178 bills during the 2025 session, surpassing her previous record of 148 vetoes set in her first year in office, 2023.

Hobbs, who is, by some accounts, one of the most unpopular Arizona governors in years, has been in a pitched battle with state Republicans since her term began. The Globe reached out to Representative Gillette to gauge the frustration felt by the legislature.

He began, “Governor Katie Hobbs: A Legacy of Failure and Crisis Mismanagement. The People of Arizona Deserve Better: Governor Katie Hobbs has delivered nothing but dysfunction, division, and disaster since taking office. Her administration is a case study in how ideology-driven politics, cronyism, and fiscal recklessness can jeopardize the well-being and security of an entire state.”

He stated that she undermined Arizona’s sovereignty and safety by vetoing common-sense laws that would:

• Remove illegal immigrants and enforce immigration laws
• Secure Arizona’s elections from fraud and manipulation
• Protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats and sabotage
• Stop foreign land purchases that threaten national security

“These were not partisan bills; they were direct responses to real problems Arizonans overwhelmingly support, he stated.

He addressed Hobbs’s administrative chaos and scandals:

“Record-breaking resignations from top leadership, six key agency heads gone amid budget crises, fraud scandals, and political infighting. A $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud targeting Native Americans grew under Hobbs’ watch while her agencies failed to act. Ongoing criminal investigations into “pay-to-play” foster care contracts and human smuggling show dangerous administrative negligence. Hobbs allowed an unlicensed health facility tied to Medicaid fraud to operate in plain sight.”

He also brought up her fiscal mismanagement and budget deception:

“Hobbs’ reckless spending and false accounting created a $1.8 billion deficit in the FY2026 budget. She vetoed Republican bills aimed at cutting waste, auditing school spending, and reining in DEI/ESG excesses. Millions in grants and state funds have vanished into poorly overseen programs with no accountability.”

Hobbs oversaw a healthcare and border collapse:

“Hobbs has done nothing to stop the illegal immigration crisis draining Arizona’s hospitals…” including “$1 million/week spent in Pima County to care for illegal migrants. $26 million in uncompensated care pushed Yuma’s main hospital to the brink; meanwhile, citizens face longer ER wait times, closed rural clinics, and decaying healthcare services.”

He concluded, “BOTTOM LINE: Governor Hobbs has undermined public safety and election integrity, enabled fraud, scandal, and fiscal collapse, prioritized ideology over real leadership. Arizona cannot afford more of the same. It’s time to put the needs of our citizens first.”