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
How Republicans can keep control using Arizona [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:07
Currently, Republicans have only a seven-seat advantage over Democrats, and that is likely to shrink by two seats after this year's special elections to fill vacancies. Republicans are standing strong behind Trump, but D…
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Duration: 27:22
At the 100-day mark of Trump's second term, his approval ratings are the lowest for any newly elected president in over 50 years and economic warning signs are pointing toward a recession. This should be a clear sign tha…
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Duration: 23:32
National economic uncertainty is impacting Arizona lawmakers and their budget deadline. But this year, there may be good reason to push to the last minute. Fluctuating tariff policies and Congress' want for billions in s…
Thin Red (Party) Line: Infighting in the GOP over stolen valor bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:15
Arizona's purple-state status has made residents accustomed to arguing at the state Capitol. But this time, the feud is between Trump-supporting Republicans and themselves. A bill that would criminalize false claims of m…
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Duration: 33:06
Probably more notably than any other Arizona politician, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is opposed to President Donald Trump. Currently, she involved in 11 lawsuits challenging the administration and she is still pu…
How Trump's education restrictions are unfolding in Arizona [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:58
For some politicians, like Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne, Trump's attacks on DEI, transgender students and dismantling the Department of Education come as good news. It follows rhetoric that he's been pushing for year…
The reality of the Arizona Diamondbacks stadium situation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:36
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been trying to revamp Chase Field for years now. So far, that journey has left them without the proper funds to renovate the 27-year-old stadium. A new amendment to House Bill 2704 proposes…
Inside the drama unfolding in Scottsdale City Council [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
Scottsdale residents voted in a new mayor and new City Council in the 2024 election. Almost immediately, the new faces at City Hall started kicking up dust in a city that calls itself “The West’s Most Western town.” Elim…
How federal Medicaid cuts would impact Arizonans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
Congress is looking to make room for trillions in tax cuts that are titled to corporations and the wealthy. Now, America's health-care program for the disabled, pregnant women and low-income earners is up for possible la…