Key facts
- Republican congressmen Andy Biggs and David Schweikert are competing in the Arizona gubernatorial primary.
- Both candidates presented themselves as the strongest contender to unseat Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.
- Biggs highlighted his endorsement from President Donald Trump and his experience in Congress and the Arizona Legislature.
- Schweikert emphasized his focus on fiscal issues and business recruitment, while also having faced ethics investigations.
- The winner of the primary will face Hobbs, who is running unopposed.
Two Republican congressmen, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs and U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, are vying for the Republican nomination for Arizona governor, presenting themselves as the strongest candidates to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. In a debate, both highlighted the state's affordability struggles and their respective experiences.
Biggs, who has secured the endorsement of President Donald Trump, positioned himself as a candidate with broad voter appeal and the necessary experience for the state's top executive role. He noted his five terms in the U.S. House and his previous service in the Arizona Legislature, including as Senate president. Biggs has been a vocal defender of Trump and supported claims of a stolen 2020 election.
Schweikert, an eight-term congressman known for his focus on government finances and reducing debt, argued that his experience in battling tough Democratic challenges and his drive to attract new businesses make him the most viable Republican contender. He has also praised Trump's tax cuts but advocated for further spending reductions. Schweikert's career has also been marked by ethics scandals, including Federal Election Commission fines for misappropriating campaign funds.
Businessman Scott Neely, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2022, expressed doubt about Biggs' electability if he wins the primary. Both Biggs and Schweikert addressed issues such as the expired healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and the state's affordability rankings. Biggs supported a moratorium on tax incentives for new data centers, while Schweikert vowed to recruit businesses and push for wage growth.