PHOENIX — Just a few days following Donald Trump’s re-election as President, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs ventured to the Mexican border, aiming to deliver a cooperative message. “Border security was a core issue in Trump’s campaign,” Hobbs remarked, expressing her eagerness to discuss Arizona’s needs with the newly re-elected president.
Back in Phoenix, Attorney General Kris Mayes was developing a legal maneuver that has resulted in five lawsuits against the Trump administration. Remarkably, these legal challenges have been initiated at an average rate of one every ten days since she assumed office.
Hobbs and Mayes, both Democrats preparing for re-election next year in a state that endorsed Trump, have embraced sharply contrasting methods on how to address Trump’s administration. Hobbs, adopting a more conciliatory and collaborative stance, contrasts with Mayes, who is taking a more confrontational and combative approach.
This strategic divide encapsulates the dilemma faced by Democrats across the nation as they struggle to regain their footing in U.S. politics. With Trump having shifted political alignments by appealing to working-class voters, Democrats are striving to reconstruct a sustainable coalition.
Arizona’s leading officials are placing different bets on what the electorate might want in the upcoming election year. Both Hobbs and Mayes achieved narrow victories in 2022. Mayes’ triumph by a mere 280 votes marks the closest margin in Arizona’s history, while Hobbs secured her post with less than a 1% lead.
Mayes has been vocal about not yielding to authoritarian tendencies, especially given the perceived risks facing the nation. She emphasized, “Our country has never been in this much peril since the Civil War.”
Despite declining a recent interview request, Gov. Hobbs’ team has communicated her priorities through a memo. It underscores the governor’s commitment to bipartisanship and her willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration on common objectives, while resisting any far-right agendas incompatible with Arizona’s values.
Their varying approaches partly stem from their distinct roles—Hobbs as governor must collaborate with a Republican state legislature and may seek federal aid, while Mayes holds more freedom to lead legal battles as attorney general.
Mayes is also prosecuting Trump’s aides and allies connected to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
A parallel situation is unfolding in Michigan, where Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel has taken an aggressive position against the Trump administration, contrasting with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s more subdued approach.
Further afield in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has sought cooperation with Trump and Republicans for disaster recovery efforts, while Attorney General Rob Bonta has pursued legal recourse.
Neither Mayes nor Hobbs identifies as Trump supporters. However, even before the election, their divergent strategies were evident. Mayes appeared alongside Democrat Kamala Harris frequently in Arizona, whereas Hobbs maintained her distance.
Mayes pursued her first lawsuit against the Trump administration immediately following his inauguration, challenging an executive order to end birthright citizenship. Since then, she has been proactive in joining lawsuits aimed at federal policies, including halts to federal funding, reformation initiatives led by Elon Musk, and issues concerning financial oversight.
She recently held a town hall in Phoenix, featuring Democratic attorneys general from Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oregon, to address concerns over federal workforce changes.
Community members have expressed appreciation for Mayes’ efforts, viewing her actions as a necessary fight—even if outcomes against Trump remain uncertain.
Conversely, Hobbs’ less confrontational approach has sometimes tested the patience of Democratic supporters eager to see decisive opposition against Trump.
Mayes remains confident that Arizona voters value leaders willing to challenge formidable figures and uphold constitutional rights, drawing parallels to the widely respected Republican Sen. John McCain.
Mayes is optimistic they will find validation for her approach in the next electoral cycle. “We’ll find out in 2026 whether I’m right or wrong,” she noted.
