Businessman launches Independent run for Arizona governor

A businessman is aiming to become the first Independent in Arizona history to win the state’s highest office. Hugh Lytle officially launched his campaign for Governor of Arizona under the newly rebranded Arizona Independent Party.

The self-described “political disruptor” could pose a challenge for Governor Katie Hobbs, who is counting on Independent voters in her bid for reelection, especially after winning by just 17,000 votes in 2022.

Governor Hobbs will likely face Lytle and the winner of the crowded Republican primary.
Stacy Pearson, partner at Lumen Strategies, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss Lytle’s entry into the race.

“I really wanna focus on the fact that independent candidates, and self-funded candidates simply don’t do well in Arizona,” Pearson said, “…people who try to buy elected positions, Arizonans see right through.”

According to Pearson, many people on the political spectrum want to belong to something that matters.

“Right now, when we see what’s going wrong with the Republican party, and the way they are enforcing immigration,” Pearson said, “…we see folks turning back to their roots, and going back to the left.”

For Pearson, being independent means being free of a party label, and should not be described as a “no-label” party.

“I cannot declare myself a Democrat with a change in the spelling, and create a new party,” Pearson said, “Independent was a catch all for people who weren’t affiliated with parties…this isn’t that.”

Pearson emphasized that Democrats win in Arizona by being moderate, as few far-left candidates are coming out.

“People who declare themselves as independent as free from a party,” Pearson explained, “…and this isn’t that…it’s legitimately confusing, and folks who are independent Arizonans typically get to choose which primary they vote in…in this case, they’re not part of that anymore.”