Hobbs delivers inaugural address

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs took the oath of office at a public ceremony at the state Capitol on Thursday, delivering an inaugural address before an audience of fellow elected officials and supporters.

Hobbs officially became Arizona’s 24th governor on Monday when she was sworn in at a private ceremony at the Executive Tower. Her swearing-in ceremony was closed to the press, but was streamed on her official Facebook page.

In her speech, Hobbs stressed that Arizona maintains “free, fair, and secure elections,” and that Arizona voters “sent a message that it’s time that your elected officials worked together to find real solutions and to build an Arizona for everyone.”

She championed Arizona’s university system, small businesses and large corporations, working class Arizonans, and the state’s diverse electorate.

Hobbs also discussed her priorities as governor, saying that she would “invest in public schools and finally provide the support our students, teachers, and parents deserve.” 

Additionally, she said that she will advocate for better paying jobs and lower costs, legal protections for abortion, affordable housing, a streamlined immigration system, improved border security, water conservation, and other issues.

“Now is the time to embrace the challenges before us,” Hobbs said. “Now is the time for leadership and real solutions that create meaningful change.”

She concluded her speech by mentioning that her door would “always be open” to lawmakers and Arizonans interested in creating positive change.

In her first days as governor, Hobbs outlined her policy priorities on her website, which include education, economic development, immigration, border security, housing affordability, water conservation, environmental protection, and health care.

She also committed to a First 100 Days Initiative, which was kicked off by an executive order that strengthens non-discrimination rules for state employees and contractors. The details of the initiative remain undefined.

In addition to Hobbs, other statewide officials taking their oath of office on Thursday were Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, Treasurer Kimberly Yee, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

Phoenix Suns legend Eddie Johnson served as the master of ceremonies.

Joe Pitts

Joe Pitts is a born and bred Arizonan who formerly served as the program director at the Arizona Chamber Foundation. He graduated Arizona State University's Barrett, the Honors College in 2023 with a B.S. in Management and concurrent B.S. in Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.

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