Republican US Rep. David Schweikert entering race for Arizona governor

PHOENIX – U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, a Republican politician accustomed to close races, announced Tuesday he is running for Arizona governor.

Schweikert said his eight wins in a Phoenix-area swing district show how a Republican can win competitive races with his approach.

“You just, forgive how I’m going to say this, don’t be a jerk,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News. “Be conservative, explain why those positions actually are really good for Arizonans. … I’ve won over and over and over in one of the most competitive congressional districts in America.”

Schweikert served in the Arizona Legislature and as Maricopa County treasurer before he was elected to Congress for the first time 15 years ago.

“I’ll put my resume up against anyone,” he said.

Tuesday’s announcement ended months of speculation about Schweikert’s political future, although the launch didn’t go as planned.

“This wasn’t supposed to come out for another day or two, and one of our local papers decided to, shall we say, break the embargo because I had hoped to get on the phone and call everyone and say, ‘All right, we’ve made the final decision and here we go,’” he said.

David Schweikert joins Andy Biggs, Karrin Taylor Robson in GOP primary

Schweikert is the third high-profile candidate — and second longtime congressman — to join the field of Republicans hoping to take on incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in the 2026 general election.

He’ll slug it out with U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson in the August GOP primary. Biggs has been serving an East Valley district in the House since 2017. Taylor Robson finished second to Kari Lake in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary.

President Donald Trump has issued endorsements for both Biggs and Taylor Robson.

Schweikert said the Trump factor won’t influence how he runs his campaign for Arizona governor.

“What we’re going to do is actually run as a true conservative,” he said. “We’re going to fixate on the things our voters care about. We’re going to fixate on the fact that so many working people in Arizona are poorer today than they were four years ago and how we fix that. And I’m hoping actually the message and also the plans for Arizona are what brings us to victory.”

Taylor Robson, who had a 10-point lead over Biggs in August polling conducted by Phoenix-based Noble Predictive Insights, said she welcomed Schweikert to the race.

“Arizona Republicans deserve a clear choice in this primary: a Trump-endorsed conservative outsider who built her success in the private sector, or yet another career politician,” she said in a statement. “With President Trump’s endorsement, the earliest media buy in Arizona gubernatorial history, record-breaking fundraising and grassroots momentum including more than 120 in-person events this summer in every corner of Arizona, our campaign is built to win.”

A Democratic Governors Association (DGA) spokesman expressed confidence that Hobbs will win reelection regardless of her opponent.

“Whether it’s Karrin Taylor Robson, Andy Biggs or David Schweikert, the entire field of GOP candidates share the same extreme agenda that would make life worse for Arizonans,” Sam Newton, DGA communications director, said in a statement. “In contrast, Gov. Katie Hobbs has worked across the aisle to lower costs, keep families safe, create jobs and secure the border — that’s exactly why she’ll beat whoever survives this chaotic Republican primary.”

What does David Schweikert’s plan mean for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District?

Schweikert has been in Congress since 2011. He represents Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, which covers parts of north Phoenix, Scottsdale and other northeast Valley suburbs.

In 2024, he fended off Democratic nominee Amish Shah 52%-48% to win his eighth term in Congress.

His departure from the swing district could improve Democrats’ chances to pick up the seat as they try to take control of the House next year.

“After voting to gut Arizonans’ health care in favor of tax cuts for billionaires, Schweikert knows there’s no way voters will let Republicans keep control of Congress,” Lindsay Reilly, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement. “Schweikert’s decision is just the latest vote of no-confidence in his own colleagues and their toxic agenda. Come next November, Arizonans will elect leaders who actually fight for them — not for billionaires.”

As of Tuesday morning, three Republicans other than Schweikert had filed statements of interest to run for the CD1 seat — Kaitlin Purrington, Joe Russell and Brandon Sproles — but the incumbent’s departure could motivate others to throw their hats into the ring.

Meanwhile, 12 Democrats have filed statements of interest, including Shah and Marlene Galán-Woods, who finished third in the 2024 primary.

“After a long career in Washington of selling out Arizonans for billionaires, trying to cut Social Security, even falling asleep on the job, David Schweikert delusionally thinks he deserves a promotion,” Galán-Woods said in a statement. “Arizona’s 1st Congressional District deserves a representative who is laser-focused on lowering costs, protecting health care and standing up for democracy in Washington. I’m ready to win this race and be that leader for Arizona.”

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