WTAS: “I need Hobbs not to discriminate against black people.”

Photo credit: Ross D. Franklin—AP

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ chance at the Democratic nomination for governor might be gone after an all white jury found that she committed racial and sexual discrimination against a black employee when she fired her after she complained about being paid less money for doing the same job as white colleagues.

Here’s what folks are saying about it…

“Should be an issue on the campaign trail”

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: “It is troubling that she [Hobbs] played a key role in the firing of a woman who had the nerve to stand up for herself and ask for equal pay and that should be an issue on the campaign trail… Talonya Adams just provided a powerful reminder of that, just in time for the governor’s race.” (Laurie Roberts, Arizona Republic, 11/11/21)

“I need her not to discriminate against black people.”
KPNX: “‘This was Katie Hobbs’ decision,’ Talonya Adams said in an interview. ‘I think she’s always been very uncomfortable with minorities. She seems wholly disconnected from people of color… I don’t need her to be my ally… I need her not to discriminate against black people.'” (Brahm Resnik, KPNX, 11/15/21)

Are “we, as Democrats, are prepared to support a nominee for Governor who behaved in this manner just a few short years ago.”

AARON LIEBERMAN: “Talonya Adams suffered the same fate that so many women and people of color face every day: getting paid less money for doing the same job as white male colleagues. She bravely confronted the very person who fired her — cross-examining Katie Hobbs directly on the witness stand. The initial jury was so incensed by Katie Hobbs’ testimony they awarded Talonya Adams a $1 million verdict. The second jury went even further and awarded Talonya $2,750,000 in damages. Equal pay for equal work is a bedrock value of the Democratic Party. We need to have an open & honest discussion about what happened, who is accountable, and if we, as Democrats, are prepared to support a nominee for Governor who behaved in this manner just a few short years ago.” Aaron Lieberman, 11/11/21)

“Never a good look for the Democratic frontrunner for governor”

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: “If you are Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, I imagine Wednesday’s jaw dropping verdict in Talonya Adams’  discrimination lawsuit might have induced a migraine. It is, after all, never a good look for the Democratic frontrunner for governor to have played a key role in firing an African-Amercan woman because she complained that she was paid less than her colleagues.” (Laurie Roberts, Arizona Republic, 11/11/21)