Hobbs' win over Republican Kari Lake is a major victory for democratic norms
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/katie-hobbs-wins-arizona-governor-election-2022-midterms-n1300377
By Zeeshan Aleem,
MSNBC Opinion Columnist
Democrat Katie Hobbs has been elected governor of Arizona, NBC News projects. Hobbs win over Republican Kari Lake is a major victory for democratic norms and helps keep a formidable MAGA politician from ascending to an influential office.
For most of the race, Hobbs, Arizonas secretary of state, held a narrow lead in the polls, but in the final stretches Lake moved slightly ahead. Lakes candidacy centered on 2020 election denialism, creating a sharp foil with Hobbs entire job. While Lake used her skills as a telegenic communicator something she honed as an experienced local news anchor Hobbs often struggled to make clear and forceful points on the campaign trail.
Hobbs most controversial move in the race was her refusal to debate Lake, even after trailing her in the polls. She framed it as a boycott of Lakes fervent 2020 election denialism, but many speculated she was worried about being outshone on the debate stage. While it raised eyebrows on the left, the decision mightve been a strategically effective move.
Hobbs win is a relief for democracy watchers. As secretary of state, she oversaw the states administration of elections, and she represents credible vote counting in an era in which the GOP has rallied behind the idea that inconvenient losses are proof of fraud. Setting aside partisan politics, its good news for the country that Arizona voters chose a small-d democrat over an authoritarian activist especially in a critical battleground state.