AZ Gov. Katie Hobbs' Second Choice To Lead Child Welfare Agency Drops Out

February 25, 2023

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs just had another nominee picked to serve in her administration drop out.

Hobbs, a Democrat, announced on Feb. 23 that Matthey Stewart was leaving the Hobbs Administration in the "best interest of all parties involved."

Stewart had been tapped to lead the state's Department of Child Services, becoming the first Black person to do so.

Republicans said on Feb. 22 that Stewart had been asked to resign.

State Senator Jake Hoffman said that Stewart has been making "questionable moves on consulting contracts."

Stewart's run at the top of the organization lasted just six weeks, but it's not the first time Hobbs has failed to pick a good candidate.

This story comes just a few weeks after another Hobbs nominee didn't work out.

Earlier this month, Hobbs withdrew her nomination of Dr. Theresa Cullen to lead Arizona's Department of Health Services. Cullen was not completely removed from the government though, as she remains Pima County's public health director.