Arizona’s political landscape briefly shifted as State Treasurer Kimberly Yee stepped into the shoes of acting governor, seizing the reins of the state in a caretaker capacity during Governor Katie Hobbs’ short absence.
On a Wednesday evening, the announcement echoed through the digital corridors of X (formerly Twitter), wherein Treasurer Kimberly Yee conveyed her temporary role as acting governor. Notably, she emphasized her commitment to withholding appointments for 13 vacant agency positions, deferring this responsibility to Governor Hobbs upon her return.
Yee, a prominent Republican figure, pledged to abstain from initiating the confirmation process in the Arizona Legislature for these positions, urging the governor to swiftly nominate qualified directors for these crucial state agencies upon her return to Arizona. Her temporary governance aimed at facilitating uninterrupted governance and service to the citizens of Arizona.
Hobbs’ Communication Director Christian Slater clarified the constitutional imperative dictating that the governor must be physically present within Arizona. As neither a lieutenant governor nor the state’s Attorney General and Secretary of State were available within the state during this period, the constitutional provisions automatically designated Yee as the acting governor for this brief duration.
This transition, albeit short-lived, underscored the importance of a streamlined constitutional framework, ensuring the continuity of governance during transient absences of key state officials.