Hoffman’s DINO Committee Postpones Controversial Nominee Hearing

The Arizona Senate Committee on Director Nominations (known as the DINO Committee) was scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing this morning for Governor Katie Hobbs’s nominee to lead the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Considered to be “unconfirmable” by many political pundits, Karen Peters is just the latest in a string of controversial agency leaders put forth by the Governor.

The postponement of this hearing continues a tense standoff between the Governor’s office and Senate Republicans, given that Committee Chair Senator Jake Hoffman (R‑15) has rejected several of Hobbs’s nominees, often citing concerns over their views on climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Hoffman quickly announced that the nominee was being held, issuing the following statement a short while later: “Based on possible discrepancies with information related to items we had vetted, further clarification was necessary prior to holding Ms. Peters’ confirmation hearing. Given the Senate attempting to move the budget today our staff is stretched thin and it was best to simply table the nomination. I have communicated to Hobbs’ staff that we will reschedule her hearing soon.”

On May 5, 2025, during a heated press briefing following the Governor’s back‑to‑back nominee withdrawals, Hobbs announced she would no longer submit nominees to Senator Hoffman’s DINO Committee, describing the process as a “circus”.

Hobbs signaled she was “done with Jake Hoffman and his agenda,” declaring she would manage state agencies with executive deputies rather than push directors through confirmation. Although a court previously ruled against her use of unconfirmed deputies in 2023, Hobbs promised the Legislature could bring another lawsuit if they wished.

🚨DEMOCRAT @KATIEHOBBS THROWS FULL BLOWN TEMPER TANTRUM😂@GovernorHobbs has unhinged melt down over being held accountable for her horrific agency nominees

Sorry Katie… no matter how much you whine I’m going to continue doing my job to check your power

I won’t let you ruin… pic.twitter.com/5p64Qk086q

— Jake Hoffman (@JakeHoffmanAZ) February 26, 2025

However, Hobbs appears to have revoked her previous assertion that she was “done with Hoffman” because another controversial nominee needs confirmation.

As a result of concerns over the Peters’ views, grassroots pushback is in full swing. Prominent EZAZ.org activist Merissa Hamilton called on citizens to rally against Hobbs’ latest nominee. According to Hamilton, Peters is a radical environmentalist who will force Arizonans to “drink poo water and like it.” Peters, known for bringing Phoenix its woke “Climate Action Plan,” is now poised to impose even more extreme policies at the state level, and Hamilton is urging all Republicans to reject her nomination.

Hamilton also opposes Peters for her push to add wastewater directly into Arizona’s drinking supply, without the standard recharge process. She also slams Peters for supporting so-called “climate lockdowns,” which could restrict everyday Arizonans’ freedom to travel. She alleges that Peters wants us to rethink how we “procure food” to combat climate change, and consistently prioritizes radical climate ideology over economic stability.

Hamilton warns that Peters supports shuttering Arizona’s energy plants, especially coal-fired plants, which would jeopardize jobs, energy independence, and the reliability of Arizona’s power grid. She also criticizes Peters for backing fringe programs like “tree equity,” which funnel taxpayer dollars to left-wing NGOs under the guise of environmental justice.

“This is Biden-Harris-AOC-style governance creeping into Arizona,” Hamilton said. “If Karen Peters is confirmed, we’re handing the keys of our economy and energy policy over to a climate cult.”

🚨 SAY NO TO POOP IN AZ TAP WATER

REJECT this Biden-Harris style nominee for ADEQ, Karen Peters. Vote NO! @TJShope @JohnKavanagh_AZ @votewarren @jakehoffmanaz https://t.co/OCwAt2v705

— Merissa Hamilton 🗳 ⛽ 🗽🔥 (@merissahamilton) June 18, 2025

It’s unclear when Hoffman will reconvene the DINO committee or whether Peters will be considered for the position at all. The Globe will continue to monitor the situation and report as news becomes available..