Trump Ally Andy Biggs Secures Republican Nomination for Arizona Governor/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs won Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial primary and will face Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November. The Trump-endorsed conservative defeated Rep. David Schweikert by a wide margin as Republicans seek to regain control of the battleground state. Other closely watched primaries determined nominees for attorney general, secretary of state and competitive congressional seats.
Quick Look
- Andy Biggs decisively defeated David Schweikert in the Republican primary for governor.
- Biggs will challenge Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November.
- President Donald Trump and Turning Point Action supported Biggs.
- Hobbs narrowly won the governorship in 2022 against Republican Kari Lake.
- Jay Feely won the Republican nomination in Arizona’s competitive 1st Congressional District.
- Amish Shah led Marlene Galán-Woods in the district’s Democratic primary, which remained too close to call.
- Alexander Kolodin won the GOP nomination for secretary of state.
- Warren Petersen secured the Republican nomination for attorney general.
- Mark Lamb won the GOP primary for the conservative congressional district Biggs is leaving.
Deep Look
Biggs Wins Republican Nomination for Arizona Governor
PHOENIX — U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor Tuesday, setting up a potentially close general election contest against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Biggs, a strong ally of President Donald Trump and former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, defeated fellow Rep. David Schweikert by a wide margin.
“Let’s make this the year that we turn Arizona red again,” Biggs told supporters at his victory gathering in Scottsdale.
Travel problems delayed his arrival at the event by more than three hours, according to senior adviser Drew Sexton. Much of the original crowd had left by the time Biggs delivered his speech.
Biggs Rejects Concerns About General Election Appeal
Schweikert based much of his campaign on the argument that Biggs could continue a decade of Republican setbacks in statewide Arizona elections. He presented himself as a lower-profile, business-oriented conservative with greater appeal among swing voters.
Biggs rejected the suggestion that independents and moderate voters would consider him too extreme.
“I am a conservative — and a principled conservative — but I work with people that don’t necessarily agree with me on every issue,” Biggs said following his victory speech.
Biggs entered the race with Trump’s endorsement and organizational support from Turning Point Action. He argues that he can unite Arizona Republicans before November.
“Everyone I have talked to is really conservative around here,” Biggs campaign volunteer Ray Roberts said. “We all have mostly conservative values. I think Arizona is a red state. I think Andy will be the winner in November.”
Election History Could Shape Biggs-Hobbs Contest
Biggs developed a national profile as House Freedom Caucus chairman between 2019 and 2022. He also supported Trump’s unsuccessful effort to prevent certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
Following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Biggs voted against accepting Electoral College votes from Arizona and other closely contested states.
Democrats plan to portray him as an extremist who prioritizes Trump’s political interests over those of Arizona residents.
“The more Arizonans learn about Biggs, the more they’ll realize he’s one big problem they can’t afford,” Hobbs said in a statement.
Biggs, meanwhile, has criticized Hobbs over her leadership and the rising cost of living.
“We can’t let the state go to somebody who’s actually recklessly incompetent, and that is our current governor,” he said.
Arizona Remains a Closely Divided State
Hobbs defeated Republican Kari Lake by less than 1 percentage point in the 2022 governor’s race.
Since then, Republicans have increased their registration advantage in Arizona. GOP registration grew by 6%, while Democratic registration declined by 4%, according to the figures cited in the original report.
Hobbs will likely need strong support from independent voters and some Republicans dissatisfied with their party’s nominee to secure another term.
Democrats currently hold both of Arizona’s U.S. Senate seats as well as the offices of governor, secretary of state and attorney general.
Arizona Republicans Select Other Statewide Nominees
State Rep. Alexander Kolodin won the Republican nomination for secretary of state and will challenge Democratic incumbent Adrian Fontes.
Kolodin, an attorney, was sanctioned by the State Bar of Arizona over his involvement in two unsuccessful cases challenging the 2020 election. One lawsuit alleged widespread fraud and sought to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the state.
State Senate President Warren Petersen secured the GOP nomination for attorney general. He will face Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who won the office in 2022 by 280 votes out of more than 2.5 million ballots.
Jay Feely Wins Republican House Primary
Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely won the Republican nomination in Arizona’s highly competitive 1st Congressional District.
Feely defeated former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and businessperson John Trobough. Trump endorsed Feely, although the former football player faced criticism for living outside the district.
The seat is open because Schweikert gave it up to run for governor. Republicans and Democrats both consider it important to the battle for control of the U.S. House.
Amish Shah Leads in Unresolved Democratic Primary
Emergency physician and former state legislator Amish Shah held an early lead over former television journalist Marlene Galán-Woods in the Democratic primary. The contest had not been called early Wednesday.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee supported Galán-Woods, upsetting some local activists who objected to the national party becoming involved in the primary.
Shah was the Democratic nominee for the district in 2024 but narrowly lost to Schweikert.
“We have a long tradition in Arizona of being independent-minded and working for the benefit of people,” Shah said. “I wasn’t exactly my party’s pick. And I was willing to stand up to that establishment. And that’s what the voters of this district want.”
A Shah victory would represent another setback for a DCCC-backed candidate during the 2026 election cycle. Candidates supported by the committee previously lost Democratic contests to Randy Villegas in California and Matt Dunlap in Maine.
Unlike those earlier races, Shah and Galán-Woods have broadly similar ideological positions.
Democratic Activists Question Party Intervention
Support from the DCCC can provide congressional candidates with additional funding, staff and help from allied donors. However, parts of the Democratic electorate have resisted the candidates preferred by national party leaders.
“The Democratic Party needs to grow up and wake up,” said Maria Liong, a medical student who volunteered for Shah. “They need to realize that they want candidates who listen to their people.”
Linda Bandler, an independent and former Republican who volunteered for Galán-Woods, said Democrats could remain competitive regardless of the primary winner.
“There still is some sanity,” Bandler said. “I do think that the Democrats will take over the House and the Senate.”
Republicans hold a voter-registration advantage in the district, which includes Scottsdale, northeast Phoenix, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley. The area has nevertheless moved toward the political center since Trump’s first presidential victory in 2016.
Other Arizona Congressional Races Take Shape
In the Tucson area, retired Marine drill instructor JoAnna Mendoza won the Democratic nomination without opposition. She will challenge Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani, who also had no primary opponent.
The competitive district is among Democrats’ leading targets for the November election.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb won the Republican primary for the conservative congressional district Biggs is vacating.
Lamb faced allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power during the campaign. The county attorney cleared him of criminal wrongdoing, and Lamb described the accusations as “slander and lies.” Trump maintained his endorsement of Lamb.
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