>> Ted: NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, A CONVERSATION WITH KATIE HOBBS.

THAT'S NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS ELECTION 2022 EDITION OF ARIZONA HORIZON.

TONIGHT, A DISCUSSION WITH ONE OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA.

JOINING US IS SECRETARY OF STATE, KATIE HOBBS, WHO IS A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Ted: FIRST QUESTION HAS TO BE, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS AND NOT DOING A DEBATE?

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE SAID FROM THE BEGINNING THAT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE IN ARIZONA ARE FACING AND THAT I'M TALKING TO THEM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND MAKE THE CASE TO THE VOTERS AND HOW I'M HEARING THE ISSUES AND THE MANSPLANS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

I THINK THE ACTIVITIES, SINCE THIS INTERVIEW AS ANNOUNCED REALLY UNDERSCORE MY CASE, THAT SHE'S ONLY INTERESTED IN A SPOTLIGHT.

SHE THREW A TANTRUM OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING ABOUT THIS VERY INTERVIEW AND THAT TANTRUM LEAD TO PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING GETTING HARASSING AND THREATENING PHONE CALLS AND RACIST ATTACKS.

THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS THE BEHAVIOR OF A HIGH SCHOOL BULLY.

IT'S NOT THE BEHAVIOR OF A LEADER OR THE BEHAVIOR OF SOMEONE WHO DESERVES OUR VOTE FOR GOVERNOR.

IT SHOWS SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE TEMPERAMENT TO LEAD.

FOR ME, THIS DEBATE ABOUT DEBATES IS OVER.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NOT ONLY THIS CONVERSATION, BUT I'VE BEEN MAKING THE CASE TO VOTERS ABOUT REPORTERS IN DIFFERENT FORUMS WHERE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A VERY IN DEPTH DIALOGUE ABOUT THE ISSUES.

>> Ted: YOU DIDN'T DEBATE AGAINST MARCO LOPEZ AS KARI LAKE MIGHT HAVE.

>> I WAS FOCUSED WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO WIN IN NOVEMBER AND THE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY CHOSE ME IN THAT RACE.

I THINK THAT SHOWS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE DEBATE WASN'T AN ISSUE THERE.

AND I THINK RIGHT NOW, IT'S A DISTRACTION.

I THINK KARI LAKE IS SO DESPERATE BECAUSE SHE'S SCARED TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE AN IN DEPTH CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT WILL HIGHLIGHT HER LACK OF QUALIFICATION TO BE GOVERNOR.

>> Ted: FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED, THEY WANT MORE FIGHT FROM YOU AS FAR AS DEBATING IS CONCERNED AND JUST IN GENERAL, WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM?

>> I'M FIGHTING TO FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS IN ARIZONA AND WE HAVE BUILT A CAMPAIGN TO WIN AND I'M FIGHTING EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO AS GOVERNOR.

>> Ted: YOUR OPPONENT AND ONE OF THE REASONS SHE THINKS YOU DON'T WANT A DEBATE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT HER TO BRING UP THE ISSUE AND WE'VE SEEN BILLBOARDS YOU ARE A TWICE CONVICTED RACIST REGARDING A DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS BY A SENATE STAFFER.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT INCIDENT?

YOU'VE APOLLIZED AND APOLOGIZED AND THAT YOU FAILED TO MEET THE MOMENT.

ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE.

>> WELL, I'LL JUST SAY THAT KARI LAKE'S ATTACKS ARE BASELESS AND HAVE RISEN TO THE LEVEL OF PERSONAL ATTACKS AND I WON'T RESPOND TO HER PERSONAL ATTACKS.

I'M SORRY AS I'VE SAID FOR THE HARM THAT I KNOW MISS ADAMS FACED AS A RESULT OF THAT SITUATION AND I'VE TAKEN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MY ROLL IN ROLE IN HER TERMINATION.

I MET WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND FOCUSED ON HOW WE CANNOT JUST BUILD A CAMPAIGN THAT'S INCLUSIVE AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE ADMINISTRATION REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT IT'S ACCOUNTABLE AND WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

>> WHEN YOU SAID YOU FAILED TO MEET THE MOMENT, AT THE TIME, THAT WAS A QUOTE FROM YOU, WHY SHOULDN'T VOTERS BE CONCERNED COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BE THE CHIEF CONSECUTIVE OF COMPETITIVE EXECUTIVE OF THE STATE?

>> I'VE LEARNED FROM THAT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO LEARN.

>> Ted: LET'S GET TO ISSUES HERE.

INFLATION AND PHOENIX IS NUMBER ONE AS FAR AS INFLATION RATES.

>> OUR INFLATION IS LARGELY DRIVEN BY HOUSING PRICES AND SEEING SKYROCKETING RENTS AND VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO GET INTO FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP AND I'M HEARING THAT FROM FOLKS ALL OVER.

WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY IF ARIZONA.

IN TERMS OF HOUSING, WE NEED TO BUILD MORE AND WE'RE NOT MEETING THE DEMAND AND PRICES ARE CONTINUING TO STAY HIGH.

I RAISED MY KIDS HERE IN PHOENIX WITH FINANCIAL UPS AND DOWNS AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GET A SECOND JOB TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AND PAY YOUR MORTGAGE.

AND SO MY AFFORDABLE ARIZONA PLAN ADDRESSING STRUGGLES PEOPLE IN ARIZONA ARE FACING NOW.

WE PREPARE TAX BREAKS ON EVERY DAY ITEMS LIKE OVER-OF-THE COUNTERMEDICATION AND DIAPERS.

COUNTER MEDICATION AND WE HAVE A REFUND TAX CREDIT FOR PURSUING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO STRUGGLE AND I WILLENER WILL NEVER FORGET THAT AS GOVERNOR.

>> Ted: THEY SOUND LIKE LOWER-TIER IDEAS.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU WOULD CONSIDER?

>> NOT ONLY A TAX HIKE NOT FEASIBLE BUT NOT APPROPRIATE WHEN WE'RE FACING RECORD LEVELS OF INFLATION HURTING EVERY DAY PEOPLE IN ARIZONA.

>> Ted: YOU SAY IT'S NOT ON THE TABLE AND WHAT IS YOUR TAX POLICY?

>> WE HAVE A VERY STABLE TAX ENVIRONMENT IN THE STATE RIGHT NOW BRINGING IN RECORD REVENUE AND THAT'S EVIDENCED BY THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE SHOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT RAISING TAXES WHEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH INFLATION.

>> Ted: SHOULD WE BE TALKING ABOUT LOWER TAXES?

>> A LOWER TAX WAS PASSED IN THE '21 SESSION AND GO INTO EFFECT IN FEBRUARY.

>> Ted: SHOULD WE LOWER TAXES.

YOUR OPPONENT WANTS TO GET THE TAX TO AS CLOSE TO ZERO.

BUT THE IDEA OF GETTING THE INCOME TAX, EITHER ELIMINATING IT OR AS CLOSE TO ZERO AND SOMETHING YOU WOULD GO FOR?

>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE OPTIONS AND ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT NEED FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT AND MAKE SURE WE'RE ABLE TO GROW AS A STATE.

>> Ted: SO THAT WOULD BE AN OPTION, THEN?

WE SHOULD LOOK AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS A BUDGET IS CONCERNED, WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED FOR THE LAST BUDGET IF YOU WERE STILL IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I THINK THE LAST BUDGET WAS THE FIRST BIPARTISAN BUDGET IN YEARS.

DURING MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE EIGHT YEARS I WAS THERE, WE DIDN'T HAVE A BIPARTISAN BUDGET AND I THINK THE BUDGETS PASSED UNDER MY TIME FELL FAR SHORT OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN ARIZONA AND THIS WHAT A GOOD BUDGET.

IT SHOWS WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN FOLKS ARE PARTING PARTISAN DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND IT'S THE KIND OF THING TO WORK ON AS GOVERNOR.

>> Ted: AS ENOUGH BEEN DONE TO FUNDING THINGS THAT WERE CUT DRASTICALLY DURING THE RECESSION?

>> I THINK EDUCATION IS A GOOD EXAMPLE HERE AND THE BILLION NEW DOLLARS TO OUR PUBLIC NEW SCHOOLS IS CRITICAL FUNDING.

THE PROBLEM WE'RE FACING NOW IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE REFUSING TO REPEAL THE AGGREGATE EXPENDITURE LIMIT AND SCHOOLS ARE IN LIMBO BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BUDGET THIS BILLION NEW DOLLARS.

>> Ted: WHY IS THERE A TEACHER SHORTAGE IN ARIZONA AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN TEACHERS?

WE HAVE A CRISIS IN THIS TEACHERS IN ARIZONA BECAUSE OUR TEACHERS HAVE FAILED TO INVEST IN CHILDREN AND IT'S HURTING OUR CHILDREN AND HURTING OUR FAMILIES AND SHORT-CHANGING THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

WE NEED TO INVEST OR DOLLARS INTO THE CLASSROOM TO KEEP TEACHERS.

MY PREPARED ARIZONA PLAN PROPOSES AN AVERAGE, A TEACHER INCREASE TO GET TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WHICH IS $14,000 A TEACHER AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PLACE TO START.

MY TWO SISTERS ARE BOTH PUBLIC EDUCATION TREATMENTS.

SO I HEAR FIRSTHAND FROM THEM EVERY DAY THE STRUGGLES THAT TEACHERS ARE FACING IN THE CLASSROOM.

MY LITTLE SISTER THIS YEAR DECIDED NOT TO SIGN A NEW CONTRACT BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY FACE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> Ted: WHAT ARE THOSE CHALLENGES?

WHAT IS SHE SAYING BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY IT'S DISCIPLINE, PAY, LACK OF RESPECT?

>> A COMBINATION OF A LOT OF FACTS AND PAY IS IMPORTANT.

WE ARE SEEING SO MUCH DIVISION ROUTE NOWRIGHT NOW IN OUR POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND EDUCATION IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES AND TEACHERS HAVE ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOME VILIFIED AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BANNING BOOKS INSTEAD OF HOW WE CAN SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS SO THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS EDUCATION IS CONCERNED AND DEVICIVE NATURE OF EDUCATION, WOULD YOU HAVE SIGNED THE EXPANDED VOUCHER BILL?

>> I WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED THAT BILL.

THE FIRST ESA BILL WAS A FRESHMAN IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I DIDN'T SUPPORT IT THEN BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULD LEAD TO CONTINUED EXPANSION UNTIL WE GOT TO THIS POINT.

THIS VOUCHER SYSTEM WE ARE UNDER NOW DOESN'T PROVIDE REAL CHOICE IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MOST FAMILIES.

IT DIVERTS RESOURCES FROM OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PROVIDES A SUBSIDY FOR WEALTHY CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS COULD COULD AFFORD RIGHT EDUCATION FOR THEM AND NOT THE RIGHT WAY TONE RIGHT WAY TO ENSURE EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO EDUCATION.

>> Ted: THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT SAYS CHILDREN ARE TRAPPED AND TIME TO FREE THESE FAMILIES AND DOES HE HAVE A POINT?

>> THERE WILL BE KIDS STUCK IN THESE SCHOOLS AND UNTIL WE INVEST AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY STUDENT, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE GETS QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE'LL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND THIS VOUCHER SYSTEM DOES NOT FIX THAT AT ALL.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS A QUALITY EDUCATION, HOW DO YOU CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP?

>> IT GOES BACK TO INVESTING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAKING SURE EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL AND WE HAVE TO START BY INVESTING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND MY PLAN DOES THAT AND STARTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED IT THE MOST WHERE THERE ARE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AND GETTING STUDENTS OFF TO THE RIGHT START AND NOT FALLING BEHIND AND THAT THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL AND LEADING READING BY THIRD GRAPE GRADEGRADE AND ATTAINING GRADUATION.

>> Ted: HOW DO YOU KNOW THE MONEY BEING SPENT IS BEING SPENT CORRECTLY?

>> ARIZONA HAS SOME OF THE HIGHER STANDARD AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SYSTEM IN PLACE, CHARTER SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE TO MEET MANY OF THE SAME ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT THE VOUCHER DOLLARS ARE GOING TO AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Ted: YOUR OPPONENT ONCE SUPPORTED CAMERAS WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT IDEA?

>> IT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA AND DOES NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE STRUGGLES THAT THE FAMILIES AND TEACHERS ARE FACING EVERY DAY.

IN FACT, IT COULD LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS THINGS LIKE STALKERS, SPYING ON KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> Ted: LET'S MOVE ONTO ABORTION HERE.

VERY CONFUSING RIGHT NOW, THE LANDSCAPE IS VERY CONFUSING REGARDING WHICH LAW APPLIES AND 15-WEEK BAN RIGHT NOW AND DEFACTO.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT LAW?

>> NO.

I DID NOT SUPPORT THAT LAW WHEN IT WAS PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

IT IS AN EXTREME BAN.

IT INCLUDES NO INCLUSION FOR RAPE OR INCEST AND THIS CREATES CONFUSION AND CHAOS FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED THIS HEALTHCARE AND THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PUT WOMEN'S LIVES AT RISK.

TO EXPAND ON THAT, THE OTHER LAW THAT IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE IN EFFECT, THE CIVIL WAR AREA BAN, CRIMINALIZES ALL ABORTION.

MY OPPONENT AID THAT'S A GREAT LAW AND SHE'S CALLED WOMEN WHO SEEK ABORTION EXECUTERS AND MURDERERS.

I HAVE A 20-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

AND IN 2022, SHE HAS LESS RIGHTS THAN I DID 50 YEARS AGO.

>> Ted: YOUR OPPONENT HAS SAID HER VIEWS HAVE CHANGED AND SHE WANTS ABORTION TO BE RARE AND NOT ILLEGAL AND WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF HA?

>> THAT?

>> I THINK SHE WALKED THAT BACK AND DOUBLED DOWN ON HER DESIRE TO CRIMINALIZE ALL ABORTION.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS ANY LIMIT, ANY KIND OF LIMIT FOR ABORTION, WHERE DO YOU GO?

AT 15 WEEKS, WHERE DO YOU GO?

>> ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE AND HEALTHCARE SHOULD BE LEFT TO MEDICAL PROVIDERS WHO HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND A DECISION TO HAVE ABORTION SHOULD BE BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

>> Ted: DOES THAT EQUATE TO NO LIMITS?

>> THERE'S NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL LIMIT.

THERE'S NO EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES AND THIS IDEA THAT THERE'S RAMPANT LATE-TERM ABORTION IS FALSE.

LATE-TERM ABORTION IS INCREDIBLY RARE AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT IS OFTEN DEVASTATING TO A WOMAN AND HER FAMILY.

THEY HAVE A NURSERY AND A NAME PICKED OUT FOR THE BABY.

THEY'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION BECAUSE SOMETHING HAS GONE TERRIBLY WRONG AND DOCTOR NEED THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE CARE THAT THEIR PATIENTS NEED IN THOSE VERY DIFFICULT AND RARE CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> Ted: IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ANSWER IS NO LIMITS.

DO YOU THINK ARIZONA WANTS NO LIMITS AS FAR AS ABORTION?

>> ARIZONA DOESN'T SUPPORT THE 15-WEEK BAN AND ACCESS TO SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTION AND THAT'S THE CONSIDERATION WE SHOULD BE HAVING.

HOW DO WE MAKE ABORTION LEGAL AND SAFE AND ALLOW DOCTORS TO PROVIDE THE CARE THAT THEY NEED TO PROVIDE TO THEIR PATIENTS INSTEAD OF BEING ON THE PHONE WITH THEIR LAWYERS TO FIND OUT IF THEY'LL BE ARRESTED FOR ARRESTED FOR IT.

>> Ted: DOES ARIZONA HAVE A CRISIS AT THE BOARD?

>> THERE'S INACTION FROM OUR LEADERS IN WASHINGTON ON IMMIGRATION.

ABSOLUTELY NOBODY WANTS TO SEE CRIMINALS AND DRUGS TRAFFICKED ACROSS THE BORDER AND WE NEED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, FRANKLY, TO DO MORE ABOUT BORDER SECURITY.

AND WE NEED COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THE CRISIS THAT WE'RE SEEING, BUT THIS IS NOT NEW.

THIS IS A RESULT OF DECADES OF INACTION.

>> Ted: YOUR OPPONENT CLAIMS THERE'S AN INVASION AND WANTS TO JOIN OTHER STATES TO APPLY PRESSURE TO DEFEND THE BORDER IN A MORE CONSTITUTIONAL WAY SHE CAN EXPLAIN FAR BART THAN BETTER THAN I CAN.

[ Laughter ] >> Ted: THAT'S A DIFFERENT IDEA AND IS THAT SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT?

>> MY PLAN FOR BORDER SECURITY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY TWO BORDER SHERIFFS BECAUSE IT'S A FEASIBLE PLAN THAT WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT THEY'RE SEEING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL RELIEF AND HELP THEM KEEP THEIR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

KARI LAKE'S PLAN, I HATE TO CALL IT A PLAN AND IT'S NOT REALLY A PLAN, IS CONSTITUTIONALLY DUBIOUS AND WOULD DO NOTHING TO SECURE THE BORDER.

SHE HAS SAID THAT ON DAY ONE OF HER ADMINISTRATION, SHE WILL DECLARE AN INVASION.

ON DAY ONE.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT, THIS COMPACT, BUT THAT IS NOT -- SHE'S GOING TO DECLARE AN INVASION ON DAY ONE AND DOES NOTHING TO SECURE THE BORDER.

BRINGING UNSECURED CHAOS INTO OUR STATE.

>> Ted: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE A SECURED BORDER?

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY MADE SOME INVESTMENTS FILLING IN GAPS AND THERE ARE AREAS ON THE BORDER THAT CAN'T BE WALLED AND WE KNOW THAT.

AND SO, THERE'S TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER SURVEILLANCE AVAILABLE TO SECURE THOSE AREAS.

BUT WE NEED MORE RESOURCES IN TERMS OF HUMAN RESOURCES BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I SAT IN A BORDER PATROL OFFICE AND WATCHED PEOPLE SMUGGLING DRUGS ACROSS THE BORDER AND SAID WE ARE OUTGUN BID TEAR TECHNOLOGY.

OUTGUNNED BY THEIR TECHNOLOGY.

>> Ted: IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU SUPPORT THE WALL AT THE BORDER?

>> I THINK THAT THE WALL IS A VERY SYMBOLIC GESTURE AND PEOPLE LIKE IT BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE IT AND FEEL IT AND TOUCH IT.

IT'S NOT THE ONLY ANSWER BECAUSE THERE ARE PLACES THAT CAN'T BE WALLED.

AND THERE'S TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN HELP ADDRESS THOSE GAPS.

>> Ted: YOU WOULDN'T DRY TO DIS-MANTLE ANY PART OF IT OR SLOW DOWN CONSTRUCTION?

>> THAT'S NOT UP TO ME.

THE WALL ON FEDERAL LAND AND I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO WORK IN COOPERATION TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR STATE AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD DO.

>> Ted: PROMOTE IT MORE THAN DO SOMETHING AS FAR AS LEGISLATION, BUT YOU WOULD PROMOTE THE IDEA OF CONTINUING WITH THE WALL?

>> I WOULD SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PROGRESS ON SECURING THE BORDER, WHETHER THAT'S WITH THE WALL OR PERSONNEL OR CAMERAS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY.

>> Ted: WOULD YOU CONTINUE GOVERNOR DUCEY'S BORDER STRIKE FORCE?

>> I THINK THAT IF THE BORDER STRIKE FORCE IS EFFECTIVE, THEN, YES, AND THINK THERE'S BEEN DUBIOUS INFORMATION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT IS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WORKING IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHEN I TALK TO LOCAL LEADERS, I'M HEARING THAT'S NOT THE CASE, THAT THEY DON'T GET INTELLIGENCE, THAT THERE'S NOT COORDINATION.

I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL TO ADDRESSING THE ISSUES AT THE BORDER.

>> Ted: YOUR OPPONENT HAS SAID IT'S DISQUALIFYING FOR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE NOT TO DECLARE THE 2020 ELECTION STOLEN.

[ Laughter ] >> Ted: THIS IS DURING THE PRIMARY AND I WOULD IMAGINE THE SENTIMENT STILL HOLDS AND HOW DO YOU RESPOND?

>> IT'S DISQUALIFYING FOR HER TO SAY THAT IT WAS.

AND TO BE RUNNING ON THAT AS HER ENTIRE PLATFORM.

SHE HAS MADE IT HER PLATFORM TO DIS-MANTLE OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> Ted: WHY DO YOU THINK THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO QUESTION THE RESULTS?

>> BECAUSE POLITICAL LEADERS LIKE KARI LAKE CONTINUE TO MISLEAD THEM.

SHE IS NOT RUNNING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA.

SHE'S RUNNING FOR HERSELF AND FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

AND WHEN PEOPLE LIKE HER QUESTION THE RESULTS OF THE 2020 ELECTION AND TRY TO OVERTURN THEM, WE STOOD FIRM BECAUSE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING SHE OR ANYONE ELSE SAYS ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION BEING STOLEN.

>> Ted: THAT BEING SAID, HOW DO YOU INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF HOW THEY GOT THE INFORMATION, WHO GAVE THEM THE INFORMATION, THEY BELIEVE THERE'S A PROBLEM?

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> THEY BELIEVE THERE'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE KARI LAKE KEEP LYING ABOUT IT AND I'LL KEEP DOING WHAT I'VE DONE AND TELL THE TRUTH AND CONTINUE TO LEAD AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ADMINISTERING OUR ELECTIONS WITH INTEGRITY BECAUSE WE ARE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH BACK ON THE LIES AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS HAVE THE ACCURATE INFORMATION BOTH HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS AND COUNTERING THE LIES CONTINUING TO BE TOLD.

>> Ted: WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WATER HERE, THE PIECE OF GROWTH IN ARIZONA, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH WATER TO MEET THAT PACE OF GROWTH?

IF NOT, HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

WE CERTAINLY ARE AT A POINT OF CRISIS AND WE NEED TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION TO ADDRESS THAT.

AND THAT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT WHEN WE ARE PLANNING FOR FUTURE GROWTH, THAT WE ARE PLANNING AND IT'S STRATEGIC AND WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MEET THE DEMAND.

THE LEGISLATURE JUST MADE A BILLION DOLLARS INVESTMENT IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP, BUT IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS, A BILLION DOLLARS.

THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN RELIES HEAVILY ON DESALINATION AND WE'RE A SECOND AWAY FROM THAT BEING A REALITY AND THAT'S NOT AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

WE NEED THINGS THAT ARE MORE IMMEDIATE AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE, MUCH MORE IMMEDIATELY.

AND WE CAN DO THAT WITH IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY ABOUT RECYCLING WATER, CONSERVATION PROJECTS.

WE NEED TO DO MORE.

>> COLORADO RIVER WATER AND GOT A NEXT COMPACT AND WE'RE FINDING OUT THE COLORADO RIVER WATER LEVELS, THEY'RE SINKING AND SINKING FAST.

I MINE, WHAT MEAN, WHAT DO DO YOU DO WITH THE LOWER BASIN STATES, THE COLORADO RIVER WATER?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY A CRITICAL ISSUE AND I DON'T THINK THAT COLLABORATION HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

IT'S A LOT OF COMPETITION AND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE NEED A LEADER WHO IS WILLING TO GO TO THE TABLE AND FIGHT FOR ARIZONA'S INTERESTS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER ON THAT.

>> WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME HERE, BUT I WANTED TO MENTION HEALTH KENS.

CONCERNS.

THE GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR, DID HE HANDLE THE CURRENT CORRECTLY?

>> I THINK THEY NEED TO TALK WITH LEADERS ACROSS STATE ABOUT WHAT WE DID ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER AND BE PREPARED IN CASE, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN.

I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU'RE IN A CRISIS AS A LEADER, YOU DON'T GET TO CHOOSE WHAT CRISIS YOU'RE IN AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO QUESTION THAT.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE STATE AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO AS GOVERNOR.

>> Ted: WOULD YOU HAVE USED EXECUTIVE POWERS IN A SIMILAR FASHION?

>> I THINKI WON'T SPEAK TO A HYPOTHETICAL BUT IN MAKING EXECUTIVE ORDERS, THEY NEED TO BE DONE JUDICIOUSLY AND THERE'S A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE KEEPING NOT ONLY PEOPLE IN ARIZONA SAFE AND ALLOWING THE ECONOMY TO CONTINUE.

>> Ted: CIRCLING BACK AROUND, THIS IS NOT A DEBATE, UNFORTUNATELY.

YOUR OPPONENT HAS CALLED OFF COWARD FOR NOT DEBATING AND LET'S WRAP UP WITH YOUR RESPONSE TO HER CLAIMS YOU WERE AFRAID TO FACE HER ONE-ON-ONE.

>> I'M NOT AFRAID TO FACE KARI LAKE.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE EMBARRASSMENT THAT OCCURRED DURING THE G.O.P GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE AND I AM NOT GOING TO BE A PART OF HER SPECTACLE BECAUSE THIS RIGHT NOW, THIS HERE IS A MUCH BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR VOTERS TO HERE STRAIGHT FROM ME, WHERE I STAND ON THE ISSUES.

PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT I SHOULD DEBATE HER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEE US TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES, SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS SAME CONVERSATION AND SHE TURNED IT DOWN.

BUT I'LL MAKING MY CASE TO THE VOTER RIGHTVOTERS ABOUT MY ABILITY TO LEAD THE STATE AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> KATIE HOBBS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND THAT IS IT MORE NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.