The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Katie Hobbs (D) was re-elected, defeating Andy Biggs (R). CBS News and Decision Desk HQ called the race on the night of November 3, 2026; this call is attributed to those outlets rather than the Associated Press. Hobbs was rated Democrats' most vulnerable incumbent governor.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Katie Hobbs (D), re-elected |
| Called by | CBS News and Decision Desk HQ, night of November 3, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic hold |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. The full map is on the governor results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Office | Governor of Arizona, four-year term |
| Candidates | Katie Hobbs (D) and Andy Biggs (R) |
| Incumbent | Katie Hobbs (D), elected 2022 |
| Term limit | Two consecutive terms |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| All races | 2026 governor races hub |
| Voting guide | How to vote in Arizona |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Official results | Arizona Secretary of State |
What the race decides
Arizona's governor appoints agency heads, signs the budget, and holds a veto that the legislature can override with a two-thirds vote. The office also sits at the center of two issues that are specific to the state: the border and water.
On the border, the governor commands the state's National Guard and decides how state agencies cooperate with federal enforcement. Arizona shares hundreds of miles of border with Mexico, and both candidates have made the issue central to their campaigns. The governor cannot change federal immigration law, but the office controls state spending on enforcement and the tone of the state's relationship with Washington.
On water, the governor's appointees sit on the bodies that allocate Colorado River water, and the state is negotiating cuts as the river's supply shrinks. Groundwater rules, especially outside the Phoenix and Tucson areas, are the other half of the problem, and new housing development depends on how the state answers them.
Arizona's election administration is a third theme. Hobbs was secretary of state before becoming governor, and the state's procedures have been challenged repeatedly since 2020. The next governor signs election legislation and appoints board members, which makes the race a referendum on how the state runs elections.
Who is running
Katie Hobbs (Democratic). Hobbs was elected governor in 2022 after serving as secretary of state and in the legislature, according to state records. She has campaigned on water policy, schools, and her record in office.
Andy Biggs (Republican). Biggs has represented an East Valley district in the U.S. House since 2017, according to his congressional biography, and previously served in the state Senate. He has campaigned on border enforcement, election law changes, and cutting state spending.
Other candidates. Arizona ballots can include third-party and independent candidates, and the secretary of state publishes the certified list for each county.
Polls and ratings
We do not publish a poll number without a source and a date. Arizona's recent statewide races have been decided by thin margins that often fell inside the polling error, which is a reason to read averages rather than single surveys:
- 270toWin's 2026 governor map — state-by-state polling and ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published Arizona surveys.
- Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings with dates.
A rating describes the state of a race at a moment. Check the date before you rely on one.
The 2028 angle
Arizona has 11 electoral votes and has voted for the winner in most recent presidential elections. The governor does not run the presidential race, but the office shapes state election administration and gives its holder a national platform on immigration and water policy, two issues that will be on the 2028 agenda regardless of who runs.
How to vote in Arizona
Arizona voters can join the permanent early voting list and receive a mail ballot for every election, and in-person early voting opens about four weeks before Election Day. Voters must show identification at the polls, and mail ballots require a signature that matches the one on file. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Check your registration and ballot status at the Arizona secretary of state. Our voting hub covers the ID list and the ballot cure process.
What to watch
- Maricopa County. Roughly 60% of the state's voters live there, and the county's count is the number to watch on election night.
- Pima County and the rural counties. Tucson's base and the state's rural counties pull in opposite directions, and the margin between them decides close races.
- The water vote. Candidates in fast-growing areas are being pressed on groundwater rules, and the answer can move local voters.
Results
Results were reported after polls closed on November 3, 2026. Maricopa and other counties report in batches, and late-arriving mail ballots can take days to count. Our results hub explains how race calls are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for governor of Arizona in 2026?
Katie Hobbs (D), the incumbent, and Andy Biggs (R), a sitting member of Congress, are the major-party candidates, according to late-October reporting.
Is Katie Hobbs running for re-election?
Yes. Hobbs was elected in 2022 and is seeking a second term. Arizona governors are limited to two consecutive terms.
Why does water matter so much in the Arizona governor race?
Most of the state's water comes from the Colorado River, whose supply has shrunk, and the governor's appointees help decide how the state's allocation is managed. Groundwater rules for new development are the other half of the issue.
When is Election Day in Arizona?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early in-person voting opens about four weeks earlier, and polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where can I find polls for the Arizona governor race?
Use a tracker that dates its averages, such as 270toWin or RealClearPolitics, and check the sponsor and field dates on any individual poll.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 governor elections — race list, polling, and ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Arizona Secretary of State — registration, ballot, and results. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Associated Press — Arizona coverage and race calls. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- National Conference of State Legislatures — state election rules. Accessed October 28, 2026.
Last updated October 28, 2026. The candidate field is based on late-October reporting and should be re-checked against the certified ballot.