GOP Arizona Gov. Ducey congratulates Democrat Hobbs on victory

Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday congratulated Democrat Katie Hobbs on winning the state’s gubernatorial election as her opponent, Republican Kari Lake, refuses to give up the race.

Last week, Hobbs was set to narrowly win the race for the Arizona governor’s mansion. With 99% of the votes tallied Wednesday, Grand Canyon State’s Hobbs Lake will be beaten by about 17,000 votes. The margin is above the threshold that would trigger an automatic recount.

“Today I congratulated Governor-elect Katie Hobbs on her victory in a highly competitive race and offered my full cooperation as she prepares to take over leadership of the state of Arizona,” Ducey said in a statement.

“My administration will work to make this transition as smooth and seamless as possible,” he added. “It is our duty to ensure that Arizona’s 24th governor and her team are able to thrive and continue our state’s incredible momentum.”

Lake, who was backed by former President Donald Trump, has raised election integrity concerns centered on Maricopa County, Arizona, where 70 polling stations experienced problems with voting machines on Election Day. However, residents of the state’s most populous district were still able to cast their ballots, according to state election officials.

Lake’s campaign requested an extension to in-person voting on Election Day because of Maricopa County snafu, but a judge denied the request, saying there was no evidence a voter could not cast a vote on Nov. 8.

“That’s just after 2020. I mean what they’ve done in 2020, it looks like they’ve done it again, and more. And for the governor if he says he’ll confirm that, and

Katie Hobbs, to corroborate that, I think they really had better think long and hard.” Lake told Steve Bannon on his “War Room” podcast on Wednesday.

Lake has filed a lawsuit against Maricopa County election officials for more information about the problems with the election and the number of voters affected.

County election officials have until Monday to confirm the results of the 2022 midterm election. Cochise and Mohave counties have so far declined to confirm their election results, but are expected to be forced to do so by Monday.

The Arizona Secretary of State, who happens to be Hobbs, then has until December 5 to confirm the election results.