Karrin Taylor Robson announces 2nd run for governor of Arizona

PHOENIX — Karrin Taylor Robson, who unsuccessfully ran for governor of Arizona in 2022, announced Wednesday she will seek the office again next year.

The announcement sets up a 2026 Republican primary showdown between Taylor Robson and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs.

Taylor officially entered the fray after President Donald Trump gave her an early endorsement late last year, before any major candidates had declared their intention to run.

“Are you running for governor? I think so, Karrin. Because if you do, you’re going to have my support,” Trump said on Dec. 22 during a Turning Point event at the Phoenix Convention Center.

I’m in.

I am running for Governor so we can defeat radical Katie Hobbs, support President @realDonaldTrump, lock down the border, and create jobs for Arizona.

President Trump has endorsed me, and I hope you will join him and support our campaign today: https://t.co/FIEfx82FIk pic.twitter.com/072jCm3S0m

— Karrin Taylor Robson (@KTaylorRobson) February 12, 2025

What happened the first time Karrin Taylor Robson ran for governor?

Taylor Robson entered the 2022 race as a relatively unknown housing developer and Arizona Board of Regents member. She is married to 94-year-old Ed Robson, who amassed a fortune building master-planned retirement communities.

In her first run, she used her family wealth to boost her profile and try to catch Trump-endorsed front-runner Kari Lake. However, Lake, a former TV news anchor, won by 5 percentage points.

This time, Taylor Robson was able to tout Trump’s backing while throwing her hat into the ring.

“I thank President Trump for his strong endorsement and look forward to working with him to secure our border and make Arizona safe again,” she said in a press release Wednesday. “Katie Hobbs has made it harder to live, work and raise a family safely in this state. Like President Trump, I know how to create jobs. And like President Trump, I will not rest until our border is secure and Arizona families are safe.”

However, Trump has a history of playing loose with his endorsements. For example, he endorsed both Abe Hamadeh, the eventual winner, and Blake Masters in last year’s District 8 congressional race.

In fact, Biggs has said he expects to have the president on his side come election time.

Early polling shows Andy Biggs with comfortable lead

Biggs, who has aligned himself with Trump for years, declared his candidacy on Jan. 25.

A poll released by Data Orbital a day earlier showed him as the front-runner in the 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary.

The survey asked likely GOP primary voters to choose from a potential field of Biggs, Taylor Robson and state Treasurer Kimberly Yee.

Biggs had the clear lead at 31.7%, followed by Taylor Robson at 12.4% and Yee at 7.4%. However, 45% of respondents were undecided.

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