Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee is set to serve as acting governor of the state from Wednesday night until mid-morning Thursday, during Gov. Katie Hobbs’ absence.
Yee, a Republican, took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce her temporary role, expressing her pleasure at stepping into the position.
I have been notified that I will be serving as Acting Governor beginning later this evening until mid-morning tomorrow. Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/sSuiSCebk4
— Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee (@AZTreasurerYee) September 27, 2023
Yee stated that, during her less than 24-hour tenure as acting governor, she would refrain from naming directors to the 13 state agencies with vacancies. Instead, she will await the return of Democratic Governor Hobbs, who will be responsible for filling these positions.
“I will refrain from naming directors to the 13 agencies that currently have vacancies and will not call the Arizona Legislature into session to confirm them,” Yee shared on X. “That being said, I do hope when the Governor returns to Arizona, she will promptly name qualified directors to these important state agencies.”
Yee emphasized the need for a swift resolution to ensure effective governance in the service of Arizona taxpayers. She expressed her expectation that the governor would address these vacancies promptly upon her return.
The decision for Yee to assume the role of acting governor was made in accordance with the Arizona Constitution, which stipulates that the governor must be present in Arizona to fulfill their duties. As both the state’s Attorney General and Secretary of State were also out of state, the responsibility fell to Treasurer Yee.
Arizona’s Constitution does not provide for the position of lieutenant governor, making it necessary to determine a chain of succession in the event of the governor’s absence. In this case, Yee, as the next elected official in line, was designated as the acting governor.
Christian Slater, the Communication Director for Governor Hobbs, explained the legal requirements that led to Yee assuming the role of acting governor in a statement to Fox News Digital.
According to Slater, Arizona law dictates that when the governor is out of state, the next elected official in line steps in as acting governor. As Governor Hobbs, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General were all absent from the state, Treasurer Yee assumed the responsibility.
The temporary transition of power comes as Treasurer Yee pledges to prioritize her role as acting governor non-partisanly. Her decision to abstain from filling vacant agency director positions reflects her intention to defer to Governor Hobbs when she returns.
Yee’s objective is to ensure qualified directors are promptly appointed to these crucial state agencies, enabling them to carry out their duties effectively.
The handover of duties from Governor Hobbs to Acting Governor Yee highlights the importance of having a clear succession plan to ensure the smooth functioning of government without the governor. The Arizona Constitution provides for such a contingency.
Treasurer Yee has willingly stepped into the role of acting governor, demonstrating a commitment to fulfilling her responsibilities to the best of her ability during this period.
As acting governor, Yee will have the authority to make decisions and act on the state’s behalf. Still, she has exercised restraint in certain areas, such as appointing agency directors. This decision underscores her respect for the governor’s prerogative in filling these positions and her desire for a collaborative approach to governance.
Ultimately, Arizona’s temporary transition of power showcases the state’s commitment to constitutional processes and the smooth running of government. It highlights the importance of having clear protocols to ensure continuity and effective leadership when the governor cannot be present.
Acting Governor Yee’s willingness to step into this role and dedication to uphold Arizona taxpayers’ interests is commendable. With her temporary leadership and the return of Governor Hobbs, Arizona can continue its work toward serving the needs of its citizens.
