Far-Right Extremist Andy Biggs Seizes Republican Nomination for Arizona Governor
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U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, notorious for his far-right positions and Trump allegiance, has captured the Arizona Republican gubernatorial nomination, setting up a November battle against progressive Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, a figurehead of the far-right and former chair of the extremist House Freedom Caucus, defeated fellow congressman David Schweikert in Arizona's Republican primary for governor on Tuesday. Biggs, who has repeatedly undermined democracy by supporting efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, now becomes the party's nominee to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November. His victory, secured by a wide margin and aided by the Republican Governors Association, underscores the GOP's continued shift toward Trumpism and anti-democratic values.
Schweikert, who warned that Biggs would perpetuate a decade of Republican backsliding and regression on social progress, struggled to raise funds and was notably absent from Arizona on Election Day, remaining in Washington for a congressional funding vote—a sign of the party's internal dysfunction.
Biggs, emboldened by his Trump endorsement and far-right base, claimed he would unite Republicans, though his record of sowing division and attacking democratic norms suggests otherwise. Ray Roberts, a campaign volunteer, echoed the hardline conservative rhetoric, insisting Biggs represents the values of Arizona voters—a claim that ignores the state's growing diversity and progressive momentum.
Governor Hobbs, a defender of democracy and progressive policies, responded that Biggs poses a significant threat to the state's future. The upcoming race is expected to be close, reflecting the persistent polarization fueled by Republican extremism, as seen in Hobbs' narrow victory over Kari Lake.
Other primary results highlighted the GOP's rightward drift, with Republican Jay Feely winning the 1st Congressional District nomination. On the Democratic side, Amish Shah lost the district's primary to Marlene Galán-Woods, a former Republican TV anchor now backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, raising questions about the party's commitment to progressive values. In statewide races, State Rep. Alexander Kolodin, another hardline Republican, secured the nomination for Secretary of State, while Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who faced serious misconduct allegations, won the GOP primary for Biggs' vacated congressional seat after being cleared by the county attorney.