Arizona Governor Voter Guide
Arizona Governor candidates Katie Hobbs (D, incumbent), Andy Biggs (R), Teri Ann Hourihan (No Labels), and Risa Lombardo (Green) respond to an AZPM survey, weighing in on issues facing the state and how to solve them. Responses have not been edited.
The Questions
- If elected, what do you consider your three most immediate priorities after taking office?
- Do you support a statewide moratorium on data centers until the state develops a plan to regulate the industry and manage its growth?
- What specific steps should the state take to lower the cost of housing, utilities and other essentials for Arizona families?
- Should Arizona use state funding to offset losses in federal Medicaid funding when those losses threaten access to health care?
- Should Arizona invest more in expanding access to affordable childcare?
Responding Candidates
Teri Ann Hourihan
Katie Hobbs (D), Andy Biggs (R), and Risa Lombardo (Green) have not yet responded to our survey request.
Teri Ann Hourihan (NL) IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
Affordability & Cost of Living / housing
Water Security
Agency Reform
Teri Ann Hourihan
1. Affordability: Arizona families are struggling with rising housing, childcare, utility, grocery, and healthcare costs. I will focus on increasing attainable housing, reducing unnecessary barriers to development, expanding affordable childcare options, and keeping my commitment to no tax increases.
2. Water Security: Arizona must protect its water future. I will prioritize conservation, recycling and reuse, new water sources, rural groundwater protections, and responsible growth. Large industrial users must also be accountable for their water use.
3. Agency Reform: Arizona government must work for the people. I will audit agencies for fraud, waste, abuse, duplication, and ineffective spending while strengthening transparency, due process, efficiency, and accountability. Taxpayer dollars should be directed toward services that produce measurable results for Arizonans.
2. Water Security: Arizona must protect its water future. I will prioritize conservation, recycling and reuse, new water sources, rural groundwater protections, and responsible growth. Large industrial users must also be accountable for their water use.
3. Agency Reform: Arizona government must work for the people. I will audit agencies for fraud, waste, abuse, duplication, and ineffective spending while strengthening transparency, due process, efficiency, and accountability. Taxpayer dollars should be directed toward services that produce measurable results for Arizonans.
Teri Ann Hourihan
YES
Teri Ann Hourihan
On Day One, I will pursue a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data centers while Arizona establishes clear standards for water, energy, infrastructure, transparency, and accountability. Arizona must ensure rapid development does not compromise resources needed by residents, agriculture, rural communities, and future generations. I also want existing data centers reviewed for community impacts, including noise, sleep disruption, stress, and other potential health concerns. During the moratorium, Arizona should determine what data centers are using, what they are contributing, and whether adequate protections are in place. My goal is not to stop technology or innovation, but to ensure responsible growth. New data centers should be required to address the water, energy, and infrastructure demands they create rather than shifting those costs and consequences onto Arizona families.
Teri Ann Hourihan
Arizona must address affordability from multiple directions. I would increase housing supply by reducing unnecessary permitting delays and regulatory barriers, supporting infrastructure for new housing, and expanding attainable starter homes, rentals, and workforce housing.
For utilities, I want to examine ways to increase competition and consumer choice where legally and practically possible so families are not trapped with unnecessarily high costs. We should demand greater transparency and accountability for rate increases while encouraging innovation and lower-cost energy options.
I would also address major family expenses including childcare, healthcare, insurance, groceries, and transportation. At the same time, I will audit state spending for waste and inefficiency before asking taxpayers for more. My goal is to increase competition, expand supply, reduce unnecessary costs, protect consumers, and keep my commitment not to increase taxes on Arizona families.
For utilities, I want to examine ways to increase competition and consumer choice where legally and practically possible so families are not trapped with unnecessarily high costs. We should demand greater transparency and accountability for rate increases while encouraging innovation and lower-cost energy options.
I would also address major family expenses including childcare, healthcare, insurance, groceries, and transportation. At the same time, I will audit state spending for waste and inefficiency before asking taxpayers for more. My goal is to increase competition, expand supply, reduce unnecessary costs, protect consumers, and keep my commitment not to increase taxes on Arizona families.
Teri Ann Hourihan
YES
Teri Ann Hourihan
Yes, when federal Medicaid reductions threaten essential healthcare access, Arizona should consider using state funding to prevent dangerous gaps in care—but it should not simply replace every lost federal dollar. AHCCCS serves more than 2 million Arizonans, so major disruptions can affect patients, providers, hospitals, and rural communities.
I would first audit AHCCCS spending, eliminate waste and administrative duplication, maximize available federal funding, and identify other existing resources. State funding should then be targeted toward protecting essential services and our most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and those needing behavioral health or lifesaving medical care. Arizona should protect healthcare access while demanding accountability and avoiding unnecessary tax increases.
I would first audit AHCCCS spending, eliminate waste and administrative duplication, maximize available federal funding, and identify other existing resources. State funding should then be targeted toward protecting essential services and our most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and those needing behavioral health or lifesaving medical care. Arizona should protect healthcare access while demanding accountability and avoiding unnecessary tax increases.
Teri Ann Hourihan
YES
Teri Ann Hourihan
Yes. Affordable childcare is essential to both Arizona families and our economy. Too many parents are forced to choose between working and paying childcare costs that consume a significant portion of their income. I support expanding access through a long-term plan that combines existing state and federal resources, employer incentives, public-private partnerships, and support for childcare providers. We should also reduce unnecessary barriers that limit the number of quality providers, while maintaining strong health and safety standards. My goal is to make childcare progressively more affordable and accessible, especially for working and middle-income families, without simply creating another expensive government program or raising taxes. Affordable childcare helps parents remain in the workforce, strengthens businesses, and gives Arizona children a strong start.
