Rep.Andy Biggs has won the Republican primary in Arizona’s race for governor, NBC News projects, setting up a battleground state matchup this fall with Democratic Gov.
Katie Hobbs.Subscribe to read this story ad-freeGet unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Biggs, a former chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, emerged from a primary field that included fellow Rep.David Schweikert and businessmen Scott Neely and Ken Miceli.Biggs, who has represented a district outside Phoenix for five terms and held a consistent lead in the polls leading up to the primary, continually leaned into Trump’s backing in his campaign and highlighted his support for border security and lowering taxes.But the Trump dynamic could play differently in the general election in Arizona, one of five states Trump won in 2024 where a Democratic-controlled governorship is on the ballot in 2026.
Democrats have found success in Arizona, once a traditional Republican stronghold, running against Trump-aligned candidates in recent cycles.In addition to a Democratic governor, Arizona is represented by two Democratic U.S.
senators, and the party controls the secretary of state and attorney general offices.In the final stretch of the primary, Biggs sought to cast himself as someone who has worked across the political aisle in Congress, an apparent effort to appeal to the state’s huge chunk of independent voters.More than one-third of the state’s voters are not registered with either major political party.“I may be conservative, but I’ve also shown that even when you’re conservative, if you look to collaborate, you can find points and ways to collaborate with even people who fundamentally disagree with you on other things,” Biggs told USA Today on Sunday.Gov.
Katie Hobbs is running for a second term this fall.Megan Mendoza / The Republic / USA Today Network via Reuters fileBiggs had long questioned the legitimacy of J...