Mayes says she'll have an announcement about investigation into Hobbs before election

Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating Gov. Katie Hobbs for an alleged pay-to-play scheme and said Monday that she’ll make an announcement ahead of the November election.

Both Hobbs and Mayes are running competitive reelection races this year. The ongoing investigation into Hobbs is a campaign talking point of her opponent, Congressman Andy Biggs.

Hobbs is accused of granting a favorable contract to a group home after it donated to her 2022 gubernatorial campaign and the state Democratic Party.

“When we have a result in this investigation, we will make an announcement, and we are near the end of the investigation,” Mayes said Monday.

Republican Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is conducting her own investigation of Hobbs on the same issue.

Hobbs said she’d support legislation to prevent future allegations of “pay-to-play” by requiring disclosures from state contracts, but she hasn’t signed any legislation yet along those lines.

State Sen. T.J. Shope (R-Coolidge) crafted a disclosure bill which Hobbs vetoed.

Mayes said no one, not even the governor, can “blow off” the attorney general. Mayes did not say whether her upcoming announcement will include input from Hobbs, who hasn’t agreed to sit down for an interview with the AG.

Mayes declined to answer questions on Monday about that aspect of her investigation.