U.S. Representative Andy Biggs secured the Republican nomination for Arizona governor on Tuesday, setting up a contest against Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs. Biggs, a former chair of the House Freedom Caucus and a strong ally of former President Donald Trump, defeated fellow U.S. Representative David Schweikert in the primary election.
Biggs, who supported Trump's efforts to challenge the certification of the 2020 election results, received Trump's endorsement and support from the grassroots organization Turning Point Action. Some Republican voters expressed confidence in his ability to unite the party base. "Everyone I have talked to is really conservative around here," said Ray Roberts, a Biggs supporter. "I think Arizona is a red state. I think Andy will be the winner in November."
During the campaign, Schweikert argued that Biggs would continue a trend of Republican losses in the state. He struggled with fundraising and was not present in Arizona on Election Day, remaining in Washington D.C. for a government funding vote.
Hobbs released a statement Tuesday night, asserting that "The more Arizonans learn about Biggs, the more they’ll realize he’s one big problem they can’t afford."
Democrats plan to characterize Biggs as an extremist focused on supporting Trump rather than on Arizona's needs. Biggs has a national profile from his time as chair of the House Freedom Caucus from 2019 to 2022. He voted against accepting Electoral College votes from several battleground states following the January 6, 2021, riot.
In other Arizona races, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb won the Republican nomination for the U.S. House seat Biggs is vacating. Lamb, who was endorsed by Trump, faced scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power, which he denied. The county attorney cleared him of criminal wrongdoing.
In the highly competitive 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley, Trump-backed Jay Feely won the Republican primary. Feely, a former Arizona Cardinals kicker, faced criticism for living outside the district. On the Democratic side, emergency physician Amish Shah competed against Marlene Galán-Woods, a former television news anchor and Republican. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee supported Galán-Woods.
In Tucson, JoAnna Mendoza secured the Democratic nomination for the House seat held by Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani. Both candidates for this seat ran unopposed in their respective primaries.