Republican Rep. Andy Biggs is exploring a run for Arizona governor in 2026, setting up a potential battle on the right to lead one of the nation’s most consequential swing states.
“Arizona has a bright future but will need strong leadership to reach its full potential,’’ the former chair of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus said on social media Tuesday, noting that he had filed a formal statement of interest with the Arizona secretary of state. “I have been honored to serve Arizona at the state and federal levels and will bring my experience home to my native state to help it fulfill its tremendous capacity.”
Filing a statement of interest allows candidates to begin the process of collecting signatures to appear on the ballot.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has not yet said whether she will seek reelection next year, is a top Republican target in a purple state that swung toward Donald Trump in November.
A staunch Trump ally, Biggs’ potential entrance could set up a showdown among conservatives. Trump has encouraged Karrin Taylor Robson, a former member of the Arizona Board of Regents, to run.
“Are you running for governor … because if you do, you’re going to have my support, OK?” Trump said last month, pointing to Taylor Robson in the crowd from his onstage perch at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix.
Taylor Robson ran for Arizona governor in 2022 but lost the primary to former TV news anchor Kari Lake, who had Trump’s support and went on to lose to Hobbs. Lake lost a bid for Senate last year, before Trump picked her to lead the Voice of America. She said at last month’s Turning Point USA event that she didn’t think she would run for office again, The Arizona Republic reported.
Taylor Robson has not said whether she intends to seek the governorship again and, as of late Tuesday, she had not filed a statement of interest with the secretary of state. She said last month that she was “beyond honored” to have Trump’s early support.
Biggs, who was among the conservative firebrands who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker in 2023, was first elected to the House in 2016 after 14 years in the state legislature. He easily won a fifth term last fall to represent Arizona’s 5th District southeast of Phoenix.
Within hours of Biggs’ announcement, Republican former state Rep. Travis Grantham announced he was weighing a run for the congressman’s seat after also filing a statement of interest.
“The East Valley deserves continued strong, experienced and conservative leadership should Congressman Biggs depart for statewide office,’’ Grantham posted on social media.
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