Inside Arizona's standoff: Hobbs vs. Hoffman over director nominees

Inside Arizona's standoff: Hobbs vs. Hoffman over director nominees

Author: The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com June 4, 2025 Duration: 43:31
Gov. Katie Hobbs announced in May that she would not submit any more agency director nominations to the state Senate for confirmation, blaming what she called the "circus" environment for vetting her nominees. Hobbs has been battling the state Senate since she took office for her director nominees, who have gone through a rigorous and unprecedented vetting process. State Sen. Jake Hoffman heads the Committee on Direction Nominations, which recommends whether a nominee should get a vote of the full Senate. He self-identified on The Gaggle as "one of the most conservative members of the Legislature." This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by Sen. Hoffman to discuss why he thinks the stiff scrutiny on the governor's picks is justified. Later in the episode, Doug Cole, a Republican veteran of state government, joins to explore this unheard-of situation between the sitting governor and the leader of the Senate committee. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Guests: ⁠⁠Sen. Jake Hoffman, Doug Cole Hosts: ⁠⁠Ron Hansen⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Mary Jo Pitzl⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠Amanda Luberto, Abby Bessinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast cuts through the noise to focus on a single issue shaping life in the state. Hosted by The Arizona Republic’s national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and produced by Amanda Luberto, this isn't just a recap of headlines. Instead, the conversation goes deeper with a guest-a politician, a journalist, or another key public figure-to unpack the real-world implications of a policy, a vote, or a debate. You’ll hear how decisions made at the capitol or in city halls ripple out to affect communities, schools, and wallets. The discussion is grounded in the expertise of the Republic’s newsroom, offering clarity and context that’s often missing from the daily churn. For anyone trying to understand the forces directing Arizona’s future, this weekly podcast provides an essential, focused look at the mechanics of state politics and government, making the complex both accessible and relevant. It’s a straightforward guide to what’s happening, who’s involved, and why it all matters for your day-to-day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast
Podcast Episodes
BONUS: Arizona Corporation Commission candidates debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:48
Early ballots are being packaged up to be sent out to Arizona voters by October 9th. This year is the big one. From contentious mayoral races to electing a new Maricopa County recorder, the local elections will come to d…
4 propositions that could change voting in Arizona [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:57
The 2024 ballot will be one of the longest in recent history with 13 propositions to vote on. Among things like police power at the border and abortion access, nearly one third of the measures deal with how elections fun…
BONUS: Q&A with Mesa mayoral candidates Mark Freeman and Scott Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:02
Early ballots are being packaged up to be sent out to Arizona voters by October 9th. This year is the big one. From contentious mayoral races to electing a new Maricopa County recorder, the local elections will come to d…
2 Congressional races in Arizona could define the future of Congress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:02
Along with everything else that’s on the ballot this election year, so is the U.S. House of Representatives. All nine seats of Arizona’s congressional delegation are before voters, but in reality, only two are expected t…
Harris & Trump know they need Arizona's vote [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
Arizona being called for Joe Biden early on election night 2020 became the start of a movement: the state was officially a swing state. Trump speaks to the state’s conservative roots. But continuous election denialism an…
4 key races on your 2024 ballot that you really shouldn't ignore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
The general election is less than seven weeks away on Nov. 5, and the presidential race is gaining the most attention. However, for Arizonans, there are some really important races down your ballot that you don't want to…
Why Mesa's mayoral race is one to watch in the 2024 election [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:16
For the first time in 10 years, Mesa has to choose a new mayor. Politically, Mesa is a study in contrasts. The current mayor, Republican John Giles, is known for his relatively moderate views and willingness to cross par…

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