Andy Biggs, third-party candidates debate tonight as Governor Hobbs sits out

Republican Andy Biggs, Green Party nominee Risa Lombardo and No Labels nominee Teri Hourihan will take the stage tonight at 6 p.m. for a debate in Arizona’s race for governor.

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs will not attend.

Hobbs is seeking a second term. She is running with former Mesa Mayor John Giles, a former Republican who is now an independent. She is pitching their ticket as a bipartisan team focused on housing costs, water and border security.

Biggs, a longtime congressman and former chair of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, is endorsed by President Donald Trump. His running mate is former state Sen. Sine Kerr. Biggs has promised to eliminate the state income tax, and he has called Hobbs a “coward” for skipping the debate.

This is the first election in which Arizona voters will choose a lieutenant governor, who runs on the same ticket as the governor.

Biggs and Giles are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members make up about 6% of Arizona’s population, a bloc that could matter in a close race.

Lombardo, a Republican precinct committeewoman until early 2025, won the Green Party primary even though the state Green Party opposed her candidacy. Hourihan won the No Labels primary over businessman Hugh Lytle.

The governor’s race is defined by negative ads

Biggs has attacked Hobbs over a state contractor that got a rate increase after its executives donated to her political operation.

Hobbs, in turn, has targeted Biggs over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and a 2013 bill aimed at the police force in a polygamous sect’s border town, which died when he led the state Senate.

Katie Hobbs holds a big money advantage ahead of the debate

Hobbs had outspent Biggs at least 15-to-1 on ads as of early September. The Democratic Governors Association has pledged $10 million to help her.

The Republican Governors Association has reportedly not publicly committed money to Biggs. The state Republican Party partnered with his campaign on a $1.75 million ad buy.

Hobbs won the governor’s race in 2022 by about 17,000 votes.

Early ballots go out Wednesday. Election Day is Nov. 3.

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