Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) is running for governor against Republican Kari Lake — but according to a recent Fox News Digital report, she has only made a handful of appearances at her current office in recent months.
Documents obtained via a public records request revealed that Hobbs has only used her security badge — which is necessary to enter the Arizona state Capitol Building — on 19 different days between April 1 of this year and October 14.
A spokesperson from Hobbs’ office claimed that the Secretary of State has been working remotely, and Hobbs has said that she is “actively involved” with her office even as she continues her gubernatorial campaign.
However, a recent hiccup in the preparations for the midterm election — which Hobbs’ office is supposed to oversee — lends credence to critics who might wonder whether her prolonged absences from the office have impacted her ability to do her job.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ELECTION WIRE FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND POLLING ON THE UPCOMING MIDTERMS
The mistake, which may have impacted thousands of voters, caused some Arizona voters to receive absentee ballots that only included the federal elections rather than the full slate. Among the state and local races that did not appear on the faulty ballots was the gubernatorial race that Hobbs herself is running in.
We will be providing more updates as they become available. The voters impacted will be contacted by their county recorder's office. Voters can check their voter registration status at https://t.co/pGe99IEoH7. 2/
— Secretary Katie Hobbs (@SecretaryHobbs) October 19, 2022
Lake noticed the possible connection between Hobbs’ absences from her office and the faulty ballots, tweeting, “As Secretary of State (who literally oversees the very election she is running in) Katie Hobbs only showed up to work 19 days in the last 6 months. Perhaps this is why Arizonans are getting faulty ballots? Your thoughts?”
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
As Secretary of State (who literally oversees the very election she is running in) Katie Hobbs only showed up to work 19 days in the last 6 months
Perhaps this is why Arizonans are getting faulty ballots? Your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/EiNbO9XlGq
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) October 20, 2022
Hobbs has repeatedly refused to debate Lake, telling CNN’s Dana Bash that it would be pointless and arguing that she is better able to make her case to the voters by doing individual appearances and interviews.
WATCH:
Katie Hobbs refuses to say why she won’t debate Kari Lake
Even CNN calls her out on this
Ouch pic.twitter.com/ovMNxnWIMk
— ShapiroExposed.com (@JackPosobiec) October 16, 2022
Bash pressed Hobbs repeatedly on her refusal to debate Lake, asking, “If you think she’s as dangerous as you’re saying to democracy, is it your responsibility as a candidate who wants to run Arizona to show and explain who their alternative is?”
Hobbs argued that she was better able to do that in a one-on-one setting on CNN than she would be in a debate.
Lake, however, appeared to hold the opposite opinion.
WATCH:
Kari Lake to Katie Hobbs:
“I will debate you on a stage. I will debate you in a parking lot … I will debate you on CNN. I will debate you on MSNBC. I’ll even debate you on The View and let Joy Behar and Whoopi ask the questions.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 16, 2022
“I will debate you on a stage. I will debate you in a parking lot,” Lake said. “I will debate you in a library. I will debate you in a bar. I will debate you in a car. I will debate you on CNN. I will debate you on MSNBC. I’ll even debate you on ‘The View’ and let Joy Behar and Whoopi ask the questions. But show some courage!”