Rep. Andy Biggs wins GOP primary for Arizona governor

Rep. Andy Biggs wins GOP primary for Arizona governor

Republican voters in Arizona selected U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs to be their nominee for governor on Tuesday. Biggs, a longtime conservative and former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, won the nomination with a convincing margin, setting up a general election clash with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

The Associated Press called the race shortly after 8 p.m. Biggs, who is 67, defeated three other Republican contenders: fellow U.S. Rep. David Schweikert and businessmen Ken Miceli of Scottsdale and Scott Neely of Mesa. Results remain unofficial until local and state officials certify the ballots.

Biggs has maintained a close alliance with President Donald Trump, securing the president's endorsement in April 2025. This support extends to Biggs' history in Washington, where he served as a loyal supporter of Trump and assisted in efforts to block the certification of the 2020 presidential election by voting against accepting Electoral College votes from battleground states, including Arizona, following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

The victory marks a shift for Biggs, who previously represented Arizona's 5th Congressional District. His campaign recently underwent a makeover to move away from 2020 election concerns and highlight bipartisan achievements to appeal to a statewide electorate. He also campaigned with the support of Turning Point Action and the late Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA who was killed at a Utah speaking event in September.

In contrast, Rep. David Schweikert argued during the campaign that Biggs' hard-right approach would continue a trend of Republican losses in Arizona. Schweikert, who has represented the 1st Congressional District since 2010, struggled with fundraising and did not return to Arizona for Election Day, remaining in Washington for a government funding vote.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, has spent millions from her campaign funds this summer. In a statement issued Tuesday night, Hobbs said:

"The more Arizonans learn about Biggs, the more they'll realize he's one big problem they can't afford."

Katie Hobbs, Governor, via statement

The race takes place as Arizona has transitioned from a Republican stronghold to a competitive swing state. Democrats currently hold the top three statewide offices—governor, secretary of state, and attorney general—as well as both U.S. Senate seats. Republicans hold a voter registration advantage, but face a general election environment influenced by discontent over an unpopular war in Iran and rising gas prices.

Wider Election Fallout

The primary results have triggered a scramble for other key seats. The departure of Schweikert from the 1st Congressional District leaves a competitive seat that both parties view as crucial. Republican Jay Feely, a former Arizona Cardinals kicker with Trump's endorsement, won the GOP nomination. He will face a Democratic nominee following a primary between former state legislator Amish Shah and former news anchor Marlene Galán-Woods, who received the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

In the 5th Congressional District vacated by Biggs, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb won the Republican nomination. Lamb, also endorsed by Trump, faced allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power; however, the county attorney cleared him of criminal wrongdoing. He will face Democratic nurse Elizabeth Lee in November.

Other state-level GOP nominations include:

• Secretary of State: State lawmaker and lawyer Alexander Kolodin, who defeated Gina Swoboda. Kolodin has previously led efforts to overturn the 2020 and 2022 election results. He will face Democrat Adrian Fontes.
• Attorney General: Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen was leading the race to challenge Democrat Kris Mayes, competing against former Democrat Rodney Glassman.

In the 6th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran, both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.