Last Updated on October 3, 2022
Katie Hobbs, the Democrat nominee to be the next Governor of Arizona, ignored a concerned constituent at a Starbucks location who asked her why she’s refusing to debate Trump-endorsed GOP nominee Kari Lake. Arizona’s current Secretary of State, Hobbs has been called a national disgrace and embarrassment after leading Arizona’s fraud-ridden 2020 Presidential Election. Recently, Hobbs was convicted of racial discrimination and is forcing Arizona taxpayers to foot the $300,000 bill for damages.
Roughly five weeks out from 2022’s election day, Trump-endorsed Republican nominee Kari Lake, a staunch election integrity and border security advocate, leads Democrat Katie Hobbs in the polls by around 5 points. Hobbs has garnered national attention for her refusal to debate Lake, a strategy taken on by many Democrats who’ve been unable to convey a coherent message to voters.
Days ago, at an Arizona Starbucks location, Katie Hobbs was standing in line when she was approached by a concerned citizen, who asked her why she’s refusing to debate Lake. Hobbs, who is currently in office as Arizona’s unpopular Secretary of State, ignored the question, mumbling a couple of responses at the man before he wished her luck and reminded her that she’s “five points behind” in recent polls.
“Hey Secretary of State Hobbs, I was just wondering, why aren’t you debating Kari Lake?” Luke Mosiman, who posted the video to Twitter, asked Hobbs, who responded with mumbles, saying something to the effect of “I’m not answering that.”
“Okay, because, I mean, the people want to hear,” Mosiman replied. “We were just kind of wondering,” he said before Hobbs refused once more to provide an answer.
“Okay, well…You have a good day but have fun being 5 points behind,” Mosiman said.
Ran into Katie Hobbs at Starbucks, so asked her why she wouldn't debate @KariLake
She REFUSED to answer and ignored me!! pic.twitter.com/lgC9N4sbsq
— Luke Mosiman (@Luke_Mosiman) September 29, 2022
Throughout the 2022 campaign season, Katie Hobbs has refused to join Kari Lake for a debate on stage, employing a strategy used almost exclusively by her fellow Democrats, like John Fetterman in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race.
In a letter written to Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Hobbs cited Kari Lake’s election integrity activism in bowing out of the commission’s Arizona General Election Debate.
Read More: Katie Hobbs Dodges Debate with Trump-Endorsed Kari Lake in Arizona
In absence of a debate stage, Lake has been traveling around the State of Arizona, allowing voters to ask her questions directly, telling TV news host Charlie Kirk that political debates are akin to a job interview for candidates.
Lake is part of a slew of Trump-endorsed GOP candidates in Arizona’s 2022 elections, joining notables like Blake Masters, who is taking on Mark Kelly for Senate, and Mark Finchem, who is running against ex-Maricopa County elections chief and accused election fraudster, Adrian Fontes.
