# Arizona gubernatorial race: Polling, legal, and finance news > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/arizona-republican-gubernatorial-primary-2026 > Updated: 2026-09-11T00:12:23.000Z. Sources: 85. Developments: 14. The Arizona gubernatorial race between incumbent Democrat Katie Hobbs and Republican Andy Biggs has intensified. Following Biggs’ July 21 primary victory, Hobbs has maintained her refusal to participate in traditional debates, opting instead for an “Arizona First Tour” to prioritize “face-to-face engagement.” In August, Hobbs selected former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate, marking the first time Arizonans will vote for a combined governor-lieutenant governor ticket following the passage of Proposition 131. Legal and ethical scrutiny has escalated. While Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on August 21 that Hobbs would not face criminal charges following a two-year investigation into an alleged pay-to-play scheme involving Sunshine Residential, Republican lawmakers are calling for new investigations. Critics highlight that Sunshine Residential reportedly donated approximately $400,000 to the Arizona Democratic Party and an organization linked to Hobbs’s inaugural festivities, shortly before receiving state rate increases that could yield millions in additional revenue. On September 11, Arizona Republicans continued to challenge the findings of Mayes’s probe. House Speaker Steve Montenegro has requested clarification regarding the alleged omission of information concerning an offer made by the company’s CEO to influence Department of Child Safety leadership. This follows reports that the company’s bed-per-day rate increased by 56% during the period of significant political donations. Simultaneously, Hobbs faces scrutiny over her 2026 Quarter 2 campaign-finance reports. Following ten amendments, discrepancies emerged regarding approximately $1.426 million in exempt small-dollar contributions; this figure dropped to $0 in amended filings before nearly $400,000 reappeared in the fourth amendment. Total campaign receipts have also fluctuated between $1.7 million and $3.1 million. Furthermore, over 46,000 contributors in the Hobbs campaign are listed as “not employed” or “unemployed,” a pattern also observed in filings for Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Arizona Republicans challenge Hobbs-Sunshine probe Arizona Republicans are questioning Attorney General Kris Mayes’ decision not to charge Governor Katie Hobbs following an investigation into alleged pay-for-play ties with Sunshine Residential Homes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-republicans-challenge-hobbs-sunshine-probe ### 2026-09-06: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs faces debate refusal and bribery investigation calls Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs faces criticism for declining to debate her Republican opponent amid calls from lawmakers for a fresh investigation into an alleged bribery scheme involving state contracts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-governor-katie-hobbs-faces-debate-refusal-and-bribery-investigation-calls ### 2026-08-31: Katie Hobbs faces scrutiny over campaign finance reporting Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs faces scrutiny over campaign-finance amendments involving $1.4 million in small-dollar contributions and thousands of donors listed as unemployed. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katie-hobbs-faces-scrutiny-over-campaign-finance-reporting ### 2026-08-24: Arizona officials face scrutiny over pay-to-play probe and Medicaid fraud reporting Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes cleared Governor Katie Hobbs of pay-to-play allegations, while a DCS whistleblower alleges 127 Medicaid fraud referrals were omitted from federal reports. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-officials-face-scrutiny-over-pay-to-play-probe-and-medicaid-fraud-reporting ### 2026-08-21: Arizona AG declines to charge Gov. Hobbs in pay-to-play probe Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will not charge Governor Katie Hobbs following an investigation into alleged pay-to-play dealings with Sunshine Residential, citing a lack of evidence of a quid pro quo. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-ag-declines-to-charge-gov-hobbs-in-pay-to-play-probe ### 2026-08-20: Arizona gubernatorial race: Hobbs leads Biggs in new poll A new poll shows Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs leading Republican Andy Biggs by 13 points in the Arizona gubernatorial race, while Biggs faces criticism over past legislative decisions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-gubernatorial-race-hobbs-leads-biggs-in-new-poll ### 2026-08-17: John Giles named as running mate for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Governor Katie Hobbs has named former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate for Arizona’s inaugural lieutenant governor race, drawing criticism from state Republicans over his political record. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/john-giles-named-as-running-mate-for-arizona-governor-katie-hobbs ### 2026-08-11: Katie Hobbs selects John Giles as running mate for Arizona reelection Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has chosen former Republican Mayor John Giles as her running mate, creating a bipartisan ticket for the state’s first lieutenant governor election. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katie-hobbs-selects-john-giles-as-running-mate-for-arizona-reelection ### 2026-08-05: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Faces Republican Challenger Andy Biggs in Contentious Race Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and Republican Rep. Andy Biggs clash in Arizona’s governor race, with Hobbs likely picking former Mesa mayor John Giles as her running mate and Biggs naming Sine Kerr. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-governor-katie-hobbs-faces-republican-challenger-andy-biggs-in-contentious-race ### 2026-07-31: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Rejects Debate with GOP Candidate Andy Biggs Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will not debate GOP candidate Andy Biggs, opting for a voter‑tour format, while Biggs plans to attend an Oct. 6 Clean Elections debate. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-governor-katie-hobbs-rejects-debate-with-gop-candidate-andy-biggs ### 2026-07-21: Andy Biggs Wins Arizona GOP Gubernatorial Nomination, Setting Up General Election Face‑off with Gov. Katie Hobbs Andy Biggs wins Arizona GOP governor primary with 70%+, setting a November showdown with Democrat Katie Hobbs; Trump‑backed candidates also win key congressional and statewide races. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-republican-gubernatorial-primary-draws-trump-endorsement-scrutiny ### 2026-07-19: Andy Biggs Leads Arizona GOP Governor Primary Ahead of General Election Andy Biggs dominates Arizona’s GOP governor primary on July 21, 2026, positioning him to face Democrat Katie Hobbs in a key battleground race; early voting shows modest turnout and a split among parties. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-gop-primary-pits-andy-biggs-against-david-schweikert ### 2026-07-13: Andy Biggs pulls ahead in Arizona Republican governor primary Andy Biggs leads the Arizona GOP governor primary over David Schweikert, backed by Trump, as Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs runs unopposed. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andy-biggs-pulls-ahead-in-arizona-republican-governor-primary ### 2026-06-18: Arizona Republicans Pass $1.45 Billion Tax Cut and Highlight Gubernatorial Race Arizona's GOP legislature enacted a $1.45 billion tax cut, while Republican congressional candidates Andy Biggs and David Schweikert campaigned to unseat Governor Katie Hobbs in the July primary. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-republicans-pass-145-billion-tax-cut-and-highlight-gubernatorial-race --- Cite as: Arizona gubernatorial race: Polling, legal, and finance news. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/arizona-republican-gubernatorial-primary-2026