By Hank Stephenson and Nicole Ludden | Arizona Agenda
Political prognosticators are already labeling Arizona’s 2026 governor’s race a “toss-up” and debating the strengths and weaknesses of Gov. Katie Hobbs and her two potential challengers, Republicans Karrin Taylor Robson and Andy Biggs.
But the 2026 gubernatorial election will be played by a whole different set of rules than Arizona politicos are used to.
That’s because, for the first time in Arizona’s history, when voters weigh their options for their next governor, they’ll also be hiring a lieutenant governor.
The lieutenant governor is a running mate listed on the ballot alongside the candidate — much like the vice president.
And while the lieutenant governor of Arizona won’t have the tie-breaking Senate vote power that the vice president does, they will have an actual role in state government and will be a heartbeat away from becoming the state’s chief executive.
And more immediately important, by being part of the gubernatorial ticket, the lieutenant governor candidates could boost or harm their party’s chances of winning the governorship.
The right lieutenant governor choice can round out a would-be governor’s weaknesses — a candidate viewed as too old, too young, too conservative or too liberal can blunt some of that criticism by picking a right-hand that makes up for those perceived flaws.
The wrong lieutenant governor choice can amplify those weaknesses — or worse, overshadow the top candidate, hijack the campaign and muddy the messaging.
