Hobbs says county officials should focus on election, not feud

Gov. Katie Hobbs said Tuesday that she’s concerned about how local officials will handle this year’s elections. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and county recorder are in a heated battle over the recorder’s role and the management of the upcoming elections.

Hobbs said the fight is a problem for officials who are in the process of sending out early ballots.

“That is what the county election officials should be focused on instead of this feud, and so I’m worried that it is distracting them from the job at hand, and I know firsthand how much preparation goes into successfully executing an election, so we’re certainly watching and providing support where we can,” Hobbs said.

She said her office is working in tandem with state and local election officials to ensure elections remain safe and secure in Arizona.

Hobbs was elected secretary of state in 2018 and served as the state’s chief elections officer for four years, including during the 2020 Maricopa County elections audit ordered by the state Senate.

“There's a lot of concerns about federal interference in what is a local function, and as you all know, I was secretary of state and did my job to uphold the will of the voters in the face of unprecedented federal interference,” Hobbs said Tuesday.