Andy Biggs wins Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Katie Hobbs for Arizona governor

By — Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press By — Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press By — Wufei Yu, Associated Press Wufei Yu, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/andy-biggs-wins-republican-nomination-to-challenge-democrat-katie-hobbs-for-arizona-governor Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Andy Biggs wins Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Katie Hobbs for Arizona governor Politics Jul 22, 2026 10:53 AM EDT PHOENIX (AP) — Rep. Andy Biggs, a fierce ally of President Donald Trump and former head of the House Freedom Caucus, won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor Tuesday. LIVE RESULTS: Arizona midterm primary elections Democrats were locked in a close primary contest for a battleground U.S. House district, with emergency physician Amish Shah leading party-backed Marlene Galán-Woods for the chance to take on Jay Feely, the former Arizona Cardinals kicker who won the Republican nomination with Trump's endorsement. A Shah victory would be another defeat for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has occasionally struggled this year as voters seek out antiestablishment candidates. The race was too early to call early Wednesday morning. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Biggs overwhelmingly defeated fellow U.S. Rep. David Schweikert in the primary and will face Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in what could be one of the closest governor races in November. READ MORE: Arizona Republicans pick nominees Tuesday for governor and other top offices By choosing Biggs, who supported Trump's failed attempt to block certification of his 2020 election loss, Republican voters risk nominating another conservative warrior who excites the party base but fails to win a general election by turning off independents. Although the party once dominated Arizona, Democrats now hold both U.S. Senate seats and the top three state offices. Biggs faced travel problems leaving a Republican Governors Association meeting in Colorado, according to senior adviser Drew Sexton, and didn't reach his victory party in Scottsdale until more than three hours after he won the race. By the time he took the stage, the crowd of hundreds had dwindled to dozens and he spoke to a mostly empty room. "Let's make this the year that we turn Arizona red again," Biggs said. READ MORE: Andy Biggs and David Schweikert offer competing visions for Republican Party in Arizona governor primary Schweikert argued during the campaign that Biggs would continue a decade of Republican backsliding. However, he struggled to raise money and did not even return to Arizona for Election Day, remaining in Washington as the House passed a government funding bill. Biggs rejected Schweikert's claim that he'll be another Republican judged by voters