Gov. Katie Hobbs Yet To Sign Election Stability Pledge

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October 28, 2026

By Staff Reporter |

Gov. Katie Hobbs has so far declined to sign a cross-partisan election stability pledge.

The pledge from Leadership Now Arizona, issued to candidates earlier this month, contains the following six commitments: following Arizona’s election laws, promoting a peaceful election environment, protecting elections workers, respecting all eligible voters, resolving disputes lawfully, and accepting certified election results.

Leadership Now Arizona noted in its announcement of candidates supportive of the pledge that Hobbs has so far rejected the commitments.

“Gov. Katie Hobbs has acknowledged receiving the pledge but has not signed it,” stated the organization. “Leadership Now Arizona welcomes her campaign’s continued consideration and will update this record if additional candidates respond.”

Hobbs’ opponent Andy Biggs, the Republican nominee for governor and 5th District congressman, signed the pledge, as did other top Democratic candidates.

Attorney General Kris Mayes, Democratic incumbent, signed the pledge, as did Warren Petersen, the Republican challenger in the race. So did Adrian Fontes, the Democratic nominee and incumbent for secretary of state; Nick Mansour, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer; and Teresa Leyba Ruiz, the Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction.

Leadership Now Arizona is a coalition of Republicans, Democrats, and independents, and a state chapter of the Leadership Now Project, a national organization. The parent organization was founded and is led by Daniella Ballou-Aares, a former senior advisor in the Obama administration and a young global leader for the World Economic Forum.

Although the parent organization endorses Hobbs’ reelection as part of its sweeping slate of Democratic candidates, Hobbs hasn’t agreed to the terms of the pledge to support election integrity.

Leadership Now Arizona was co-founded by Adam Goodman and John Fees.

Goodman is the CEO of Goodmans Interior Structures, an architectural company, and board chair of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. Goodman said in a statement that those who don’t sign the election stability pledge are signaling opposition to the stability, predictability, and confidence of elections.

“Our businesses depend on stable institutions, predictable rules, and confidence in the rule of law, and prolonged election uncertainty puts that at risk. It’s encouraging to see candidates from both parties put these commitments on the record,” said Goodman. “But the real test comes after November 3, when they’ll need to show the same respect for the process they’re committing to today.”

Fees is co-founder and CEO of GradGuard, a tuition and renters insurance provider, and former chair of Education Forward Arizona. Fees echoed Goodman’s sentiment, stating that candidates determine the public’s response to election proceedings and results.

“Elections don’t end when the polls close, and in Arizona, we know that counting every eligible vote takes time,” said Fees. “Candidates have an enormous responsibility to set the tone for what happens next. That means giving election officials the time and space to do their jobs, rejecting speculation and unsubstantiated claims, and reminding voters that a careful, lawful process is more important than a rushed result.”

The Leadership Now Project has eight state chapters across Arizona, California, Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, and Massachusetts. It has a pilot student chapter in Massachusetts, and 22 states where members are present without a state chapter.