...And for the first time in a long time, Arizona Democrats have a deep bench.
Caveat: No elected officials were talked to about this; I truly have no idea what office any of them may be interested in, or even if any person mentioned here is even interested in continuing their political career.
Also, there is an underlying presumption that those seeking reelection to their current offices will succeed in their efforts. Reality may disagree and doesn't care about presumptions.
This is just idle speculation on my part.
First up - Governor Katie Hobbs, seeking reelection in 2026, will be termed limited in 2030..
May go federal, either U.S. House or U.S. Senate (the seat currently held by Ruben Gallego will be on 2030's ballot).
Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Both seeking reelection in 2026, will be termed limited in 2030..
One or both of them may go for Governor or a federal office. If they go for the same office, I've already decided which one I'll support in a primary, but won't be angry if the other wins - both have done some very good work for the people of Arizona.
Also, the eventual 2026 nominee for Lieutenant Governor will also be in the mix for Governor in 2030. As I have no idea who that will be, no picture will be posted.
Wildcard:
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Current term ends in 2029. Term limited.
May go federal or statewide, but I don't expect her to primary her ex - she endorsed him in 2024.
Dark horse wildcards:
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. Current term ends in 2028. NOT term limited.
May go federal or statewide, especially if Juan Ciscomani is still in Congress from Southern Arizona.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. Current term ends in 2028. Not sure if he's term limited.
May go federal or statewide, but may face headwinds/hard feelings over his support for the idea of having the taxpayers of Tempe pick up the tab for an arena for the billionaire-owned Phoenix Coyotes.
Could upend the political calculus for *everyone*:
If U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly wins reelection in 2028 and is on the Democratic presidential ticket in 2028, and that ticket is successful (lots of "ifs" there), that would leave a vacancy in the Senate. While the Governor of AZ would make an appointment to
fill that vacancy, it would only be valid until the next general election. The winner of that election would then serve out the balance of the term.
Such an election would be in 2030.
