A Superior Court judge has rejected Gov. Katie Hobbs’ request to stay his decision in a dispute with Republicans in the state Senate.
Governors are required to nominate directors for state agencies who must go through Senate confirmation. But after the Senate rejected or simply didn’t consider several of her nominees, Hobbs relabeled them as executive deputy directors to avoid Senate confirmation.
The court deemed that violated Arizona law, and Hobbs attempted to appeal the decision.
Her effort was rejected by the Court of Appeals, and on Monday, so was Hobbs’ request for a stay.
“We’re moving forward to that hearing and looking at all of our legal options in regard to the ruling that was just made,” Hobbs said.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney said in his ruling that the court hopes Hobbs and the Senate can come to a resolution before oral arguments scheduled for Aug. 14.
Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Gilbert) said in a statement that the Senate is communicating with Hobbs’ counsel, and they do hope to reach a resolution before oral arguments.
Senate Republicans established a committee in 2023 for the purpose of vetting Hobbs’ nominees. It was run by Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek), who is not a fan of Hobbs.
“I’ve said from the beginning that I'm willing to work with anyone in the Senate who takes seriously their job to advise and consent on nominations and not continue the chaos created by Jake Hoffman and his committee,” Hobbs said Monday.
