Governor Katie Hobbs was noticeably missing from the roster of Arizona Democrats who addressed an enthusiastic rally that featured her party’s presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, earlier this month.

Many were puzzled over the fact that the state’s Democratic governor opted not to attend an event aimed at showcasing party solidarity and energy, especially after a turbulent period for the presidential ticket.

Hobbs mentioned to reporters that she had a “personal conflict” but provided no further details. A review of her official schedule, obtained through The Arizona Republic, gives some hints about her activities, though it remains largely unclear.

The Harris campaign confirmed that Hobbs was invited to speak at the rally in Glendale on August 9, which started before 4 p.m. and concluded with Harris as the last speaker around 6:15 p.m.

On the same afternoon, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Hobbs had a scheduled meeting at the Capitol with her chief of staff, Chad Campbell, followed by discussions about scheduling. There was no scheduled activity from 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The schedule was released in response to a request made under Arizona Public Records Law.

From 6 to 8 p.m., Hobbs had an unspecific “block” on her agenda that lacked any descriptions of what she would be doing or where. Her spokesperson, Christian Slater, didn’t elaborate on this time period.

“There’s a block there,” he said. “We often schedule blocks of time and we’re not going to comment further on this.”

Harris, along with her newly chosen running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was touring swing states. They made five stops that week, speaking at rallies in four other Democratic-led states, where the governors participated except in Arizona.

Hobbs’ absence from the rally does not indicate a lack of support for the ticket.

She has expressed that Harris represents “a new generation of leadership” that aims to overcome divisiveness and unite around shared American values.

When Harris announced Walz as the vice presidential candidate shortly before their Arizona visit, Hobbs expressed she was “absolutely thrilled” about the decision. U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., another contender for the vice-presidential role, spoke at the Glendale rally ahead of Walz.

Nicole DeMont, Hobbs’ chief political strategist, highlighted that Hobbs was “dedicated to her duties as governor.”

“The governor was pleased to see the enthusiasm from Arizonans for the Harris-Walz campaign,” DeMont noted.

DeMont added that Hobbs was scheduled to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that week. Hobbs left on Tuesday and was set to participate in a Wednesday panel featuring other Democratic women governors, moderated by actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

The day before the rally, Hobbs had other engagements when a group of Democratic officials welcomed Harris at the Phoenix airport.

Instead, she attended a rural policy forum in Clarkdale at noon and a listening session regarding the state’s microbusiness loan program. This program, launched last year, allocates up to $5 million for microbusinesses with five or fewer employees.

During her break, she had lunch at a local eatery,” Slater confirmed.

The lunch took place at Caduceus Cellars’ exclusive Ventura Room, owned by musician-turned-winemaker Maynard James Keenan. Keenan shared a photo on social media, expressing his honor in hosting Hobbs and her team.

A visit to the Ventura Room typically costs $269 per person, excluding tax, and includes wine, food, and a tour, according to its website.

No public funds were used for the governor’s visit, and Hobbs did not partake in any wine, Slater confirmed.

The schedule of a governor is often packed with various official and personal events. Eileen Klein, who previously served as chief of staff for Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer, noted that governors face pressures from numerous commitments.

“A governor’s timetable is usually arranged weeks or months ahead of time, allowing for personal and family responsibilities,” Klein explained. “Balancing the multitude of demands on a governor’s time is a constant struggle, and it’s often not possible to alter schedules last minute.”

You can contact reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.