Fontes eyeing congressional bid, he tells staff
We obtained an internal email Secretary of State Adrian Fontes shared with staff about his future plans.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has informed his staff that he is strongly considering a run for Congress in the special election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, the seat left vacant by the death of longtime U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva.
In an internal memo obtained through a public records request, Fontes wrote that he intends to file a notice of interest soon but has not yet made a final decision.
“After careful consideration and numerous discussions with my family and close advisors, I am seriously contemplating running for the Congressional District 7 seat recently vacated by the untimely death of one of Arizona’s greats, Congressman Raúl Grijalva,” Fontes wrote. “My decision to run is not yet final, but I intend to file a notice of interest in the very near future and did not want that to be a surprise to any of you.”
Fontes emphasized continuity in the Secretary of State’s Office, acknowledging its role in protecting democracy and ensuring election integrity.
But if he enters the race, he will be required to resign, triggering a rare gubernatorial appointment by Governor Katie Hobbs that could reshape Arizona’s political landscape through the 2026 election cycle.
A Rare Gubernatorial Appointment for Secretary of State
Arizona hasn’t seen a gubernatorial appointment for Secretary of State since 2009, when Jan Brewer became governor after Janet Napolitano left to join the Obama administration. Brewer picked Ken Bennett1 as her replacement, a move that helped shape Republican election policies in the state for years.
Now, Hobbs faces a critical choice:
Will she appoint a caretaker to finish out Fontes’ term without seeking reelection?
Or will she pick someone who intends to run in 2026, giving them a crucial incumbency advantage?
With Arizona’s election administration under national scrutiny, the appointment could carry major political implications for both parties leading into the next presidential election cycle and beyond.
Who Could Hobbs Pick?
The Politicians With Electoral Experience
Reginald Bolding – The former Arizona House Minority Leader ran for Secretary of State in 2022, losing to Fontes in the Democratic primary. His previous bid makes him a natural contender.
Raquel Terán – A former state senator and chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, Terán recently lost her congressional race to Yassamin Ansari by just 39 votes after a recount. Under her tenure, Arizona Democrats saw significant wins, and a Secretary of State appointment could set her up for a comeback.
Steve Gallardo – A Maricopa County Supervisor, Gallardo’s appointment would trigger another vacancy, as the Board of Supervisors would then select his replacement—likely locking in a long-term Democratic stronghold for years. This would be a major political ripple effect. Hobbs previously bucked her party’s leadership by endorsing Gallardo for state party chair over Yolanda Bejarano, who ultimately won.
The Wild Card With Statewide Experience
Anna Tovar – Tovar is the only person on this list who has won a statewide election (Arizona Corporation Commission, 2020). She was also Arizona’s first Latina elected statewide. With speculation that she could be Hobbs’ running mate in 2026 as Arizona’s first lieutenant governor, Hobbs may see her as better suited for that role rather than Secretary of State. If appointed, Tovar would bring legislative experience, having served in the state Senate, as Minority Leader2 and as Tolleson’s mayor. Hobbs has already appointed her to the Arizona Board of Education.
The Long Shots: Hobbs’ Staff & Election Experts
Bo Dul – A former state elections director under Hobbs’ tenure as Secretary of State, Dul also worked at States United Democracy Center on election issues. While well-versed in elections, she has never run for office.
Allie Bones – Hobbs’ first chief of staff and a former assistant secretary of state, Bones knows the office inside and out. But like Dul, she has never run for office before.
Chad Campbell – Hobbs’ current chief of staff and a former Democratic legislator, but he has shown no signs of wanting a statewide role.
While appointing someone from her team would allow Hobbs to avoid influencing the 2026 race, it would also mean selecting someone without direct electoral experience —a risk given the high-profile nature of the position.
What Happens Next?
Fontes has until next month to file his candidacy, and if he moves forward, his resignation will take effect upon submitting his signatures — not just filing a statement of interest. That means Hobbs’ decision could come swiftly, setting the stage for a 2026 showdown that’s already taking shape.
But there’s an even bigger political wrinkle to consider: What happens if Fontes runs for Congress and loses?
There has already been speculation that Fontes could challenge Hobbs for the Democratic nomination in 2026. If he fails to win the congressional seat, he would be out of office but free to launch a gubernatorial campaign without the constraints of holding statewide office. His departure from the Secretary of State’s Office could actually be a short-term relief for Hobbs, removing a potential 2026 rival from a prominent platform.
The question now is not just whether Fontes will run, but what ripple effects his departure will have on Arizona’s political future in 2026 and beyond.
Ken Bennett’s elections director was Amy Chan, who now works under Fontes as the office’s legal counsel.
For some political history: the last time Gallardo, Tovar, and Hobbs were prominently linked was during a leadership shake-up in the Arizona Senate in 2013. The Democratic caucus ousted Leah Landrum Taylor — the first Black minority leader in state history — in a surprise vote led by Gallardo, who then nominated Tovar as her replacement. Hobbs was among the eight Democrats who voted for the leadership change. Gallardo became Senate Minority Whip, while Hobbs later succeeded Tovar as Minority Leader in the following term.