Stacey Barchenger || Arizona Republic
Following weeks of public pressure, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs last month released details about how much money businesses and special interest groups paid to sponsor her inauguration ceremony.
But the accounting was far from complete: Campaign finance reports show at least $270,000 more than Hobbs disclosed was donated through additional accounts, according to an analysis by The Arizona Republic, with more than $1.9 million raised for the event.
And the final tally is likely much more than that: About 70 businesses, lobbying firms, special interest groups and individuals listed as sponsors of the event were not documented in available records,
meaning how much they donated remains unknown.
The piecemeal accounting of inaugural fundraising, and Hobbs’ reticence to release details of her financial backers, has emerged as an early political issue in the halls of the state Capitol. Leaders of the Republican-majority Legislature have tried to exert influence over what the Democratic governor does with unspent money from the celebration, and other GOP lawmakers are considering a measure to require disclosure.
