Key facts
- Andy Biggs won the Republican primary for Arizona governor.
- Biggs, endorsed by Donald Trump, defeated fellow congressman David Schweikert.
- Biggs will challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.
- Arizona has become a competitive swing state in recent years.
- Democrats currently hold the top three statewide offices in Arizona.
Andy Biggs, a hard-right congressman and former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, has won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor. He secured an easy victory, appealing to the party's conservative base and securing an endorsement from Donald Trump. Biggs will now face incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
Biggs defeated fellow congressman David Schweikert, who had given up his congressional seat to run for the governorship. Schweikert had argued that Biggs's hard-right politics and embrace of Trump had contributed to Democratic gains in the state. However, Republican voters largely followed Trump's lead.
Arizona has transformed from a Republican stronghold into a competitive swing state, with Democrats having gained control of the top three statewide offices and both U.S. Senate seats in recent years. The state's shifting demographics, driven by population growth and changing suburban voting patterns, have fueled this trend.
The primary also settled nominations for several congressional seats. In Arizona's first congressional district, vacated by Schweikert, Joseph Chaplik won the Republican nomination, while Amish Shah secured the Democratic nomination. In the sixth congressional district, Juan Ciscomani is seeking a third term, with JoAnna Mendoza running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Republicans are contending with unfavorable national political conditions, including historical midterm election trends and discontent over issues like gas prices and the war in Iran, which have impacted Trump's approval ratings. The outcome in Arizona is seen as crucial for both parties' efforts to control Congress.