By Alexander Lomax
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
All’s fair in love, war, and politics, but there are typically a few axioms that keep people in line and keep order in what can otherwise be a cutthroat, back-stabbing industry. One of those is that when your party holds a significant seat, you do not give them a tough primary. Sure, you can prevent some fringe candidates from taking a shot at the crown, but often the party apparatus will do whatever it takes to dissuade a strong challenger.
When someone is deeply unpopular, is embroiled in a scandal of sorts, or something of the like, that axiom becomes less entrenched, especially if it seems as though that elected official being on the ballot will be a liability in the general election. But absent of that, it’s a rarity. It’s important for a candidate to not have to spend precious resources to win a primary election.
Imagine our surprise when a certain chatter arose and has gotten louder and louder…based on numerous sources, Attorney General Kris Mayes has her eyes on the 9th floor and is strongly considering a primary challenge to Governor Katie Hobbs.
Considering it is one thing, and following through with it is another thing. But if it were to happen, this would be a reasonably decent opportunity. The state party is partially reeling from a poor performance in Arizona this past election (save Kari Lake’s gift of being thoroughly unlikeable).
Governor Hobbs has avoided massive scandal, that’s true. Of course, if you ask diehard Republicans, they could probably give you a few supposed scandals, both small issues that are trumped up as well as invented conspiracy. But the impetus for this might have been one that flew somewhat under the radar: the voter roll fiasco where Hobbs suggested disenfranchising a list of nearly 100,000 voters to the disappointment of both Fontes and Mayes. Someone leaked the conversation to the press, and considering that both of them are not fans of the governor, it could be either, but the Mayes camp seems like it has the most to gain from that.
Indeed, Hobbs has made her share of enemies. She has insulted Democratic candidates-turned-elected officials in private, has often come across as selfish and petty, and has long been seen as over her head for a long time, a political animal with a remarkable ability to move up despite shortcomings, a deeply unimpressive person who just happens to be in the right place at the right time. One needs only remember her administration’s leadership choices before Chief of Staff Chad Campbell came on for confirmation of this.
Mayes is accomplished, intelligent, and tough. She probably sees herself as more intelligent and tough than Mayes. She probably sees opportunity.
There is a long way to go, but Hobbs’s term has been a fairly weak one, made only weaker by losing seats in both the House and Senate. There is an opportunity…but will it be pounced upon? For the sake of a couple years of good content, I hope so.