Deseret News reports that Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has chosen former Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate for the 2026 gubernatorial race, a striking cross-party move aimed at moderate and independent voters. Giles, a Latter-day Saint, left the Republican Party over Trump and has positioned himself as a voice for traditional conservatism alienated by MAGA politics.

The pairing represents Hobbs' bet that a "less tribal" campaign can win in polarized Arizona, where significant LDS and moderate Republican populations could be persuaded to cross party lines. Giles brings credibility with suburban Phoenix voters and the state's Mormon community, both critical swing demographics.

Hobbs faces Republican Andy Biggs in the general election, making the choice of Giles strategically significant. Two BYU graduates are now running against each other for Arizona's governorship, with Mormon identity and politics playing a central role in the race's dynamics.