Hobbs Sparks Backlash over State of the State Address

Governor Katie Hobbs delivered her third State of the State address, outlining her 2025 priorities under what she calls the “Arizona Promise,” which includes childcare, affordable housing, security, reproductive freedom, and water conservation.

Hobbs reaffirmed her commitment to gutting the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) school voucher program, which, despite its popularity, is still one of her top priorities. She emphasized the need to address what she described as a “lack of accountability and transparency” in the program, saying, “We must ensure taxpayer dollars dedicated to education are used properly by putting guardrails in place to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Hobbs highlighted recent reports of misuse under the program by listing a few examples and calling the expenditures “unacceptable and sometimes downright outrageous.”

The governor proposed several reforms, including requiring ESA recipients to attend a public school for at least 100 days, which she argued is “a reasonable standard that would save our state a quarter billion dollars.” Other measures included ending “luxury” spending, requiring background checks for educators, and expanding the authority of the state’s Auditor General.

“My message to parents across Arizona, whether your family takes part in this program or not: Now is the time to advocate for accountability and transparency, not a blank check,” Hobbs concluded.

Superintendent Tom Horne addressed the criticism of ESAs in a statement. He remarked, “Under my leadership, the department has taken a strong stance against waste and fraud. I have hired both a program auditor and an investigator, which had not been done before. I require that every expenditure be for a valid educational purpose, and I have faced criticism for enforcing this.” He added, “The Governor needs to pay more attention to what is happening. She deserves an ‘F’.”

The Republican Governors Association did not hold back in their criticism, either, branding her speech “a disaster, much like her re-election campaign.” They highlighted Hobbs’ glaring hypocrisy, pointing to her claims of “bipartisanship while vetoing numerous common-sense conservative policies during her first two years.” They also called out her flip-flopping on open border policies, noting her earlier commitment to fight President Trump’s orders to deport illegal immigrants. Arizonans deserve far better than what they see in “Hypocrite Hobbs.”

Arizona Senate President Warren Peterson weighed in on Hobbs’ address during the Conservative Circus Morning Radio Show. Host James T. Harris remarked that Hobbs tried to present herself as a moderate. Peterson said that her speech echoed the moment Congressman Joe Wilson infamously shouted, “You lie” at President Obama.

Peterson emphasized that Hobbs is caught in a balancing act, needing to satisfy her base while trying to maintain popularity with voters—outcomes that are clearly incompatible. The Senator added, “she is definitely dancing the dance,” highlighting that she is playing an undeniably precarious game.

President Petersen and President Pro Tempore TJ Shope replied to Gov. Hobbs’ State of the State address in a video rebuttal, with Peterson vowing to support President Trump “by legislation or litigation.”

President Petersen and President Pro Tempore @TJShope respond to Governor Hobbs’ State of the State address.

“By legislation or litigation, we will support President Trump and our Law Enforcement in their efforts to secure the border.” – President @votewarren

Other… pic.twitter.com/Kg3KHYlpa5

— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) January 14, 2025

Newly selected House Speaker Steve Montenegro responded in a video address as well, stating, “Governor Hobbs highlighted an agenda that does not align with the priorities of most Arizonans.” He claimed that her failure to listen to the concerns of Arizonans resulted in voters rejecting Democrats in the last election, “choosing instead to strengthen Republican majorities in the state legislature.”

Arizona House Speaker @SteveMontenegro Responds to the State of the State Address. @AZHouseGOP pic.twitter.com/glPSU4u7qu

— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) January 13, 2025

Republican strategists have identified Hobbs as a potential target for 2026 due to poor polling, even among Democrats. Recent party rumblings make it likely that she’ll face a primary challenge from Arizona’s Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. However, it remains unclear who might challenge either Hobbs or Fontes from the Republican side.