Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey met with his Democratic successor Katie Hobbs on Wednesday, offering his congratulations for her win and pledging to work with her to ensure a smooth transition.

Hobbs defeated her Republican challenger, right-wing election denier Kari Lake, who had secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

Lake has so far refused to accept defeat, calling the race a “botched election.”

Ducey though recognized Hobbs’ victory, saying the contest was a “hard-fought race.”

“Our duty is to ensure that Arizona’s 24th Governor and her team can hit the ground running and continue our state’s incredible momentum,” Ducey said in a statement posted on his website.

He continued: “All of us have waited patiently for the democratic process to play out. The people of Arizona have spoken, their votes have been counted and we respect their decision.”

Today I congratulated Governor-elect Katie Hobbs on her victory in a hard-fought race and offered my full cooperation as she prepares to assume the leadership of the State of Arizona. pic.twitter.com/gkn9bbDlTF

Term-limited Ducey had endorsed Karrin Taylor Robson in the Republican primary over the summer but backed Lake in the general election.

Even though Hobbs, Arizona’s secretary of state, won by a margin of over 17,000 votes, Lake has resisted admitting defeat, calling for a recount in the state’s Maricopa County. Lake seized on technical difficulties reported in 70 polling places in the county due to...

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