Republican Mayor Endorses Democrat Katie Hobbs for Arizona Governor

A Republican mayor has endorsed Democrat Katie Hobbs in her race against Kari Lake for Arizona governor.

Mesa’s John Giles, elected mayor of Arizona’s third largest city in 2014, gave his support to Hobbs in the election.

“It’s pretty clear to me that Katie Hobbs is a better candidate,” Giles told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad Tuesday. “… Katie Hobbs is more qualified, she’s focused on the issues. I think its clear from the mayor’s seat that Arizona has a lot of serious issues that we need to address.”

“It’s not a mystery, one candidate is better than the other.”

Mesa Mayor John Giles endorses Katie Hobbs in governor's race https://t.co/AZgS11QEYo

— azcentral politics (@azcpolitics) October 10, 2022

It's not often a Republican mayor has gone across the aisle to support a Democrat, but that's exactly what Mesa's John Giles has done in the Arizona gubernatorial race.https://t.co/PQ7dmRdTI4

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) October 12, 2022

Mayor Giles has also shown support for incumbent Senator Mark Kelly (D).

Mesa, AZ's own Republican Mayor, John Giles, spoke of the hardships his local business & community face.

Enter Sen. Kelly, who secured critical funding, for Team AZ, not politics.

Let's reelect @CaptMarkKelly to represent AZ as Senator. #BlueIn22 pic.twitter.com/NsOaRQ1o8G

— Carol A☮️🌻💙🟧 (@feelsyoung) October 8, 2022

When we work to bring people together instead of dividing them, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. Mesa Mayor John Giles knows that, and I’m proud to have Republican and Independent leaders like him with me on this mission. pic.twitter.com/h2wiGTMRXO

— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) October 7, 2022

KTAR News reported:

Giles called Lake “dangerous” for the state of Arizona and the Republican party.

Although Giles has given his support to Hobbs, he has not had any run-ins with Lake.

“I have no personal axe to grind with miss (Kari) Lake. I think in a lot of ways, as a communicator, she’s in a league of her own,” Giles said.

“If there were a Republican that was not an election denier, that I aligned with on all the issues, I would be thrilled. Show me a Republican who is not an election denier and I will endorse them.”

Giles explained he is also endorsing Mark Kelly against Blake Masters and Adrian Fontes over Mark Finchem in their respective races as well. He did state he was supporting Republican Rachel Mitchell for County Attorney.

It’s interesting that Mayor Giles says Katie Hobbs is the better candidate.

Hobbs ran away when confronted by Project Veritas.

WATCH: Katie Hobbs Runs Away When Confronted by Project Veritas

Kari Lake and Katie Hobbs were both invited to speak at a recent Hispanic town hall event.

Kari Lake took advantage of the opportunity to speak to Hispanic voters in Phoenix.

On the other hand, Hobbs skipped out on the event.

Lake made sure to call attention to Hobbs skipping the event.

“I wish by the way that my opponent were here,” Lake told attendees, pointing to an empty podium set up beside her.

“Because the people here from the media – some are from the national media – they never pin her down on where she stands,” Lake continued.

“I always speak to the media, but she won’t answer the questions. She won’t answer the questions & she didn’t have the courage to be here. I think that should tell you something. She’s hiding something. What is she hiding? I think we know: her terrible record,” Lake said.

.@KariLake: "I always speak to the media, but she won't answer the questions. She won't answer the questions & she didn't have the courage to be here. I think that should tell you something. She's hiding something. What is she hiding? I think we know: her terrible record." pic.twitter.com/xoOqGh92L8

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) October 6, 2022

It appears Katie Hobbs doesn't want to face tough questions during her gubernatorial campaign.

So, how would Mayor Giles know she's the better candidate?