'I'm truly sorry': Katie Hobbs issues new apology in Talonya Adams firing

[TexasTowelie]

Democratic candidate for governor Katie Hobbs has issued an apology and acknowledged discrimination took place in the firing of a Senate staffer years ago as her campaign faces continued criticism for its scattershot response.

“I recognize that my initial response fell short of taking accountability, and I know that it was for the most part unnecessarily defensive,” Hobbs said in an exclusive phone interview with The Arizona Republic on Wednesday, hours after releasing a public apology video on her campaign Twitter.

In the video, Hobbs, who now serves as secretary of state, acknowledges the "discrimination that Talonya Adams faced as an employee in the Legislature."

"Please allow me to say this clearly and unequivocally: I apologize to Ms. Adams," Hobbs said. "I’m truly sorry for the real harm that I caused Ms. Adams and her family. My response to the jury verdict was short-sighted, unnecessarily defensive and failed to meet the moment."

Read more: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/12/08/katie-hobbs-apologizes-recognizes-discrimination-talonya-adams-firing/6426337001/

Related: Andy Biggs Wronged Talonya Adams, Not Katie Hobbs
https://blogforarizona.net/dear-talonya-adams/

The blog above received some replies in the comments by GOP Rep. John Kavanaugh that are worth reading along with the rebuttals.

[tulipsandroses]

1. This is a very messy situation. Hobbs should fire whomever

is giving her advice. The person who wrote that blog is not doing Hobbs any favors. It comes across as a hit piece on Ms. Adams.
The statement Ms. Hobbs sent out to her supporters should have been the front facing statement to the public and Ms. Adams.
I just watched an interview with Ms Adams and she comes across as genuine. You can tell she is still very hurt and angry. She has every right to be. I have been in her shoes. Many black women have been there as well. For me it felt like a kick in the gut. As a mental health provider, I have quite a few black women as clients who are depressed or dealing with anxiety due to discriminatory practices.
The fact that she did not have performance reviews and was then terminated after complaining about her salary does not bode well. Why didn’t Hobbs bring up job performance or “ loss of confidence” before she addressed her salary.? She was fired within days of addressing it. Saying it was because there were other issues and you lost confidence does not make sense.

In a time when Democrats are trying to get paid family leave, trying to make her look bad for having to take time to be with her son who was having cardiac issues, is definitely not a good look. This should have been handled way better by Hobbs and her team. Good she has cleaned up the apology but it should have been crystal clear from the beginning.

Given the writer’s response, he demonstrates the attitude that Ms. Adams speaks of. Out of touch and indifferent to black folks. I hope she has an African American woman on her PR team. What Ms. Adams is addressing is experienced time and time again by black women in the workplace. Black women consistently are a reliable voting block for Dems.
Hobbs needs new PR.

I don’t blame Ms Adams for how she feels. Hobbs was her boss. She had influence over whether she would be fired or not. You can’t pass the buck here and just blame the republicans.
Ms. Adams comes across as sincere here. She mentions that her reputation was damaged by insinuations about her not being up to the job or not being trustworthy. She’s been fighting this case for years now. Won 2 cases while representing herself. She got her job back but has not seen a dime in compensation. Trying to attack Ms. Adams is not the hill Ms. Hobbs’ supporters should want to die on