Sen. Hoffman Counters Hobbs’ ‘Racist’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mandate

In a shot across Gov. Hobbs’ political bow, AZ Senator Jake Hoffman (R-LD15) is taking action to offset what he’s calling blatant “racism” stemming from Hobbs’ recently announced “Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity& Accessibility Council.” Citing Arizona’s new anti-racism law, ARS 41-1494, which prohibits the use of public funds for training and other programs presenting “any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex,” Hoffman maintains that this new council violates the spirit and language of the state law.

The Senator publicly denounced Gov. Hobbs’ DEI program, stating, “I championed legislation in 2021 to prevent exactly what Katie Hobbs is trying to do. Not only may the state not spend any funds on this type of training, but it cannot require state employees to be subject to this type of indoctrination. Taxpayer dollars should never be used for anything other than public good. Diversity, equity, and inclusion training is divisive and racist progressive propaganda.”

Hoffman believes that Hobbs’ DEI council will create a hostile work environment. “It will harm our good-faith efforts to serve our citizens,” the Senator stated. “It will also harm the culture of a hard work ethic established within our state agencies that rewards individuals based on qualifications, experience, and merit, not skin color.”

To combat the potential negative impacts of the DEI program, Hoffman is providing whistleblower protections for state employees who report their concerns over exposure to the DEI “propaganda.” In a press release dated Oct 23, 2023, Senator Hoffman doubled down on concerns over racism.

“Instead of focusing on the real issues hurting our Arizona citizens, like soaring inflation, outrageous gas prices, a major housing shortage, water security, and a border crisis threatening the safety of our communities, Katie Hobbs is attempting to once again appeal to her radical left supporters by pushing woke garbage down the throats of our public employees through her creation of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Council,” stated Senator Hoffman. “This move is an obvious cover for her racist past of not only nominating an antisemitic to lead the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, but also for her wrongful firing of a black state employee that ended up costing Arizona taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.”

The Arizona Globe is reaching out to Senator Hoffman for additional information about his concerns.