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Arizona attorney general declines to charge Gov. Katie Hobbs over pay-to-play allegations

Arizona attorney general declines to charge Gov. Katie Hobbs over pay-to-play allegations

State prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs over allegations that she took part in a pay-to-play scheme with a group home company
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Kris Mayes won't prosecute Katie Hobbs after bribery probe | Exclusive

Kris Mayes won't prosecute Katie Hobbs after bribery probe | Exclusive

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, released findings of her yearslong investigation into Gov. Katie Hobbs' ties to a major political donor.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Read Kris Mayes' findings in probe of Gov. Katie Hobbs

Read Kris Mayes' findings in probe of Gov. Katie Hobbs

Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the findings on Aug. 21, more than two years after beginning a criminal investigation of Gov. Katie Hobbs.
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Arizona AG Declines Criminal Charges Against Governor Hobbs in 'Pay-to-Play' Allegations

Arizona AG Declines Criminal Charges Against Governor Hobbs in 'Pay-to-Play' Allegations

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced that her office will not file criminal charges against Governor Katie Hobbs following allegations of a 'pay-to-play' scheme. The investigation centered on claims that Hobbs provided preferential treatment to Sunshine Residential Homes, a group home company, after it made significant financial contributions to her campaign and the state Democratic Party. Sunshine donated $200,000 to the state Democratic party before Hobbs' November 2022 election, and an additional $100,000 to her inaugural fund and another $100,000 to the party after her victory. The company subsequently received a 30% rate increase from the state, raising its rate from $149 to $195 per bed, with only Sunshine and one other company receiving increases during the 2022-2023 contracting period. Governor Hobbs has denied any wrongdoing, stating she was not involved in the decision to grant the increase. The Attorney General's office concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support a bri...
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Arizona Attorney General Declines to Charge Governor Hobbs in Pay-to-Play Allegations

Arizona Attorney General Declines to Charge Governor Hobbs in Pay-to-Play Allegations

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced that state prosecutors will not file criminal charges against Governor Katie Hobbs regarding allegations of a pay-to-play scheme. The accusations stemmed from claims that Governor Hobbs provided preferential treatment to Sunshine Residential Homes, a group home company, after it contributed $100,000 to her inaugural celebration. The Arizona Republic reported that Sunshine Residential Homes received a 30% payment increase from the state, making it one of only two companies to receive such an increase during the 2022-2023 contracting period. Governor Hobbs has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating she was not involved in the decision-making process for the rate increase. Attorney General Mayes, a Democrat like Governor Hobbs, stated that the investigation did not uncover sufficient evidence of a 'quid pro quo' to support a bribery charge. However, Mayes emphasized the need for legislative reform to enhance transparency regarding political donations from...
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Arizona Attorney General Declines to Charge Governor Hobbs After Bribery Investigation

Arizona Attorney General Declines to Charge Governor Hobbs After Bribery Investigation

The Arizona Attorney General's Office has announced it will not be filing charges against Governor Katie Hobbs following a two-year investigation into bribery-related accusations. The investigation stemmed from allegations that Governor Hobbs had ties to a group home operator, Sunshine Residential Homes, which received a significant rate hike from the state after making six-figure donations to the Governor's inauguration fund and the Arizona Democratic Party. Despite the timing of these events raising 'serious questions,' a legal analysis published by the Attorney General's Office concluded that the investigation did not uncover evidence of the necessary 'quid pro quo' to support a bribery charge. The probe involved 12 interviews, reviews of campaign finance records, procurement records, bank documents, and state emails and chats. Governor Hobbs consistently denied discussing contract rates or procurement decisions with anyone affiliated with Sunshine and stated that no financial support influenced state a...
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New Poll Shows Katie Hobbs Leading Andy Biggs in Arizona Governor's Race for 2026 Election

New Poll Shows Katie Hobbs Leading Andy Biggs in Arizona Governor's Race for 2026 Election

A recent poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights indicates that Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs holds a significant lead over Republican challenger Andy Biggs in the Arizona gubernatorial election for 2026. The poll, conducted from August 10 to August 13, 2026, surveyed 1,040 registered Arizona voters, including 923 likely voters. The results show Hobbs leading Biggs by 13 points, with 48% support compared to Biggs' 35% among likely voters. The poll also noted 1% support for the No Labels Party's Teri Ann Hourihan and 2% for Risa Lombardo, who is listed as the Green Party's candidate despite the party's opposition to her candidacy. Approximately 12% of likely voters surveyed remain undecided. Officials with Noble Predictive Insights suggest that Hobbs' summer advertising campaign has contributed to her increased support, with her share of the vote among registered voters rising five points since May, while Biggs' has decreased by the same margin.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Hobbs warns about threats to voter power but defends Axon exception

Hobbs warns about threats to voter power but defends Axon exception

Gov. Katie Hobbs said as a lawmaker she opposed efforts to curtail voters' ability to put questions on the ballot. As governor, her record is mixed.
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Arizona Attorney General's Office Clears Governor Katie Hobbs in 'Pay-to-Play' Investigation

Arizona Attorney General's Office Clears Governor Katie Hobbs in 'Pay-to-Play' Investigation

After a two-year investigation, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced on Friday that it found insufficient evidence to prosecute Governor Katie Hobbs or Sunshine Residential Homes regarding allegations of a 'pay-to-play' scheme. The investigation, which involved multiple interviews, reviews of campaign-finance records, procurement records, bank documents, and state emails and chats totaling over one terabyte of data, concluded that there was no reasonable likelihood of convicting Hobbs, the group home operator, or anyone else involved of bribery or related crimes. Governor Hobbs consistently maintained her innocence throughout the probe, stating that neither she nor her office influenced the Department of Child Services' decision to approve a 30% rate increase for Sunshine Residential Homes in 2023. The case may remain technically open to allow the Attorney General’s Office to assist with a separate investigation by the Arizona Auditor General’s Office.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Many of Arizona's top congressional candidates will skip debates

Many of Arizona's top congressional candidates will skip debates

A high-stakes Arizona election is on the horizon, but many of the upcoming U.S. House debates will be low-wattage affairs missing key players.
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Former Republican John Giles Aligns with Democratic Positions on Governor Hobbs' Reelection Ticket

Former Republican John Giles Aligns with Democratic Positions on Governor Hobbs' Reelection Ticket

John Giles, the former Republican mayor of Mesa and now an independent, has been selected as Governor Katie Hobbs' running mate for the Democratic ticket. Giles asserts that there is no conflict between his Republican past and his current role, stating that his policy differences with Hobbs are 'remarkably little or nothing.' He emphasizes a shared focus on non-partisan issues such as economic development, education, and public safety. Giles, despite identifying as pro-life, supported the 2024 ballot initiative that codified the right to abortion in the state constitution, citing the will of Arizona voters and the state's constitutional protections. He also supports school choice but advocates for increased funding for public schools, believing that a strong public option is essential for meaningful school choice. Giles has dismissed questions regarding his stance on transgender boys using girls' restrooms as a 'red herring,' referencing a 2021 ordinance he helped pass in Mesa that prohibits discrimination...
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Arizona high school football Week 1 schedule, picks

Arizona high school football Week 1 schedule, picks

Here is the 2026 Week 1 Arizona high school football schedule and Richard Obert's picks.