2 GOP candidates for Arizona governor push for party change in different ways

PHOENIX — Two of the three biggest names in next year’s Republican gubernatorial race have differing ideas on how to move Arizona forward.

Arizona’s Republican primary grew more crowded this week as U.S. Rep. David Schweikert threw his hat in the ring.

He told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show that his candidacy has nothing to do with U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson, both considered top Republican contenders.

“This isn’t about them. This is about: We’ve gotten our hineys handed to us for, what, the last six years? We’ve lost the Senate races. We’ve lost secretary of state, the attorney general, the governor,” Schweikert said Wednesday, the day after entering the race.

His goal is to shift Arizona’s political status from purple to crimson.

Why does David Schweikert want to be Arizona’s next governor?

“At some point, the conservative movement needs to stop losing,” Schweikert added. “And the one thing I truly bring to the table is I’ve demonstrated you can actually be conservative and win in a 50-50 district.”

Schweikert, in Congress since 2011, represents Arizona’s 1st District, including north Phoenix and Scottsdale. He won his eighth term in 2024, defeating Democrat Amish Shah 52%-48%.

“I’ve demonstrated you can win in incredibly competitive races. I think I’m the Democrats’ most expensive loss over the last three cycles,” he said. “We’ve been able to win because we’re focused on helping people instead of just being angry all the time.”

He said he wants an end to grievance politics and wants to focus on improving Arizonans’ cost of living, upgrading technology, making agencies more efficient and representing level-headed Republicans.

“We did some big boy polling to make sure that there was a path where a true conservative could win the governor’s race, not someone who’s just spouting anger,” Schweikert said. “It turns out there’s an incredible craving for that conservatism.”

Two of the top GOP governor candidates diverge on priorities

Biggs, who also seeks the GOP nomination, wasn’t surprised when Schweikert joined the race.

“David’s a good guy. … It doesn’t matter who’s in the race. I don’t really care how big the field is,” Biggs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday. “I’m running against Katie Hobbs because she’s the current governor and she needs to be gone.”

Biggs said his pitch to voters centers on his experience as Senate president and his endorsement from President Donald Trump. Biggs shares that endorsement with fellow Republican candidate Karrin Taylor Robson — an advantage Schweikert lacks.

“We need to make sure that our law enforcement is fully funded and has the resources that they need,” Biggs said.

He plans to revive bills Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, vetoed during her tenure.

“The bill that stops the (Chinese Communist Party) from owning land in Arizona, the water bills that this governor vetoed — many of them are necessary for whether it’s stopping human and drug trafficking along the border to public safety, education,” Biggs said.

Biggs, Schweikert running in first Arizona race with lieutenant governors

This gubernatorial election will be historic. For the first time, candidates for governor must choose a running mate to serve as lieutenant governor, a newly created role.

Until recently, the Arizona Constitution didn’t include the office, but that changed when voters approved Proposition 131 in the 2022 election.

The measure amended the state constitution to establish the position of lieutenant governor, who will officially take office starting January 4, 2027. Previously, if the governor was unable to serve, either temporarily or permanently, the secretary of state would assume the role.

“Everybody has to get a lieutenant governor. This is the first time the voters added that to our constitution,” Biggs said. “I want to make sure that we’re focused on winning the primary.”

Schweikert also hasn’t yet announced his second-in-command.

The Arizona gubernatorial primary election will take place on Aug. 4, 2026.

The Republican nominee will face Hobbs on Nov. 3, 2026.

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