by Staff Reporter | May 9, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson’s campaign just lost three key allies from President Donald Trump’s circle.
The three to depart Robson’s campaign according to Axios sources were Chris LaCivita, Tony Fabrizio, and Chris Grant.
LaCivita and Fabrizio were advisors to Robson’s campaign for the 2026 election; both men were considered key “architects” for Trump’s comeback campaign.
Prior to joining Robson’s campaign, LaCivita was co-campaign manager for President Donald Trump’s successful election bid last year. LaCivita is also employed by former Democratic Party of Albania leader and former prime minister Sali Berisha to advise on their country’s parliamentary election. LaCivita made a name for himself in the political world for crafting the Swift Boats Veterans for Truth which lended to the defeat of 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry.
Fabrizio served as the pollster for Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns. In the final weeks leading up to the 2016 election, Fabrizio wrote an internal memo encouraging a greater campaign presence in blue-leaning states — a move that would assist Trump in securing both states.
Grant presided over the Trump-aligned super PAC, MAGA Inc., and works for the political consulting firm Big Dog Strategies. Fabrizio, along with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, were part of the PAC prior to joining Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Trump endorsed Robson in the days leading up to Christmas while speaking at Turning Point USA’s Americafest in Phoenix. Then, last month, Trump dropped a dual endorsement for Congressman Andy Biggs.
The dual endorsement marked the fifth for the president, and a second in a major Arizona race. In last year’s primary for the eighth congressional district, Trump endorsed both Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh.
In his endorsement announcement for Biggs, Trump explained he endorsed Robson because she had no other competitors running against her for the Republican primary.
“I like Karrin Taylor Robson of Arizona a lot, and when she asked me to Endorse her, with nobody else running, I Endorsed her, and was happy to do so,” said Trump. “When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH. Either one will never let you down. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Sources told Axios that advisors departed in part because Robson opted to not listen to them on running campaign ads featuring Trump’s endorsement immediately. Per the advisors, Robson ran an ad featuring the president’s endorsement nearly a week after Biggs received the second endorsement.
“She won’t listen to anyone else, so she can run her own campaign now,” one source reportedly told Axios.
The departure of the three key Trump affiliates follows another considerable blow to Robson’s campaign. Last week, Trump issued an executive order to end a policy supported by Robson: in-state college tuition for certain migrants.
Robson’s campaign didn’t comment on the departures of LaCivita, Fabrizio, or Grant.
Recent polling shows Biggs with a major lead over both Robson and incumbent Governor Katie Hobbs.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | May 1, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday ordering an end to in-state college tuition for aliens — the very policy endorsed by Republican gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson.
Robson advocated for the passage of Proposition 308 in 2022: the proposition extending in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens protected from deportation by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, usually referred to as “Dreamers.”
Robson was featured in a commercial by “Yes on 308” advocating for Proposition 308’s passage. Robson argued Dreamers provided a fiscal benefit to the state.
“It will improve Arizona’s economy by keeping skilled workers here in Arizona – kids we’ve already invested in for years, with zero tax increase,” said Robson.
Robson also signed onto a letter alongside over 50 Arizona Republican leaders advocating for aliens as critical members of the workforce.
Proposition 308 passed narrowly thanks to millions in dark out-of-state funds.
Trump’s executive order ordered an end to these college tuition benefits, claiming these and other similar policies qualified as unequal treatment of Americans. Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to end state and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices which favor aliens over American citizens.
The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and appropriate agency heads, shall identify and take appropriate action to stop the enforcement of State and local laws, regulations, policies, and practices favoring aliens over any groups of American citizens that are unlawful, preempted by Federal law, or otherwise unenforceable, including State laws that provide in-State higher education tuition to aliens but not to out-of-State American citizens that may violate 8 U.S.C. 1623 or that favor aliens in criminal charges or sentencing.
Of note, Trump endorsed both Robson and her Republican primary opponent, Congressman Andy Biggs. Dual endorsements aren’t rare for the president, though Trump’s endorsement of Robson occurred prior to Biggs entering the race.
Arizona Republican leadership opposition to Robson’s campaign prompted Robson to unregister as a lobbyist earlier this year.
Shortly after Trump’s executive order, Biggs backed the move to end in-state tuition for Dreamers. The congressman also cited his support for a bill by Congressman Paul Gosar to prevent illegal aliens from receiving benefits restricted to American citizens.
“President Trump is right – US citizens shouldn’t pay more for college tuition than illegal aliens,” said Biggs. “I stand with President Trump on securing the border and ending policies that incentivize illegal immigration.”
Arizona’s legalization of in-state college tuition for illegal aliens resulted in the increased influence of dark money operations. These opaque cash flows have funneled into scholarship programs offered by the state’s universities.
Arizona isn’t the only state to grant this privilege to aliens. About half of the country and the District of Columbia also allows illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition for public colleges and universities including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In what’s has become almost standard practice for President Donald Trump, he issued a post to Truth Social on Monday, effectively splitting his endorsement in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election between leading Republican contenders Congressman Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson.
This announcement to Truth Social makes for Trump’s fifth documented split endorsement, and his second in Arizona. In the 2024 Congressional Election for District 8, the President famously endorsed both Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh who would go on to win the seat.
In the post to Truth, President Trump wrote, “I like Karrin Taylor Robson of Arizona a lot, and when she asked me to Endorse her, with nobody else running, I Endorsed her, and was happy to do so.”
Trump explained that his calculus changed when Congressman Andy Biggs tossed his hat into the ring “unexpectedly,” saying, “When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem — Two fantastic candidates, two terrific people, two wonderful champions, and it is therefore my Great Honor TO GIVE MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BOTH. Either one will never let you down. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The situation clearly hearkens back to the 2024 GOP Primary race for Congressional District 8 which saw Trump weigh in on a contentious six-way contest. He first endorsed Hamadeh and then endorsed Masters just days prior to the July 30th Primary. His message at the time was even similar:
“We have a very important Republican Primary Election on Tuesday for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, with two spectacular America First Candidates. Blake Masters is a very successful businessman, and an incredibly strong supporter of our Movement to Make America Great Again – He is smart and tough! Likewise, Abe Hamadeh, a Veteran, former prosecutor, and fearless fighter for Election Integrity, has been with me all the way! In Congress, we need a true Warrior who will work tirelessly with us to Grow our Economy, Stop Inflation, Secure our Border, End Migrant Crime, Support our Great Military/Vets, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment – They will both be spectacular, and I’m pleased to announce that both Blake Masters and Abe Hamadeh have my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Congressman of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District — THEY WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!
Responding to the President’s endorsement, Congressman Biggs took to X to thank him, writing, “Thank you, @realDonaldTrump! It’s been an honor to support you and fight for your agenda since 2016. I look forward to fighting along side you as Governor of Arizona, the greatest state in the nation!”
Robson responded in a post as well stating, “THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT! Today, @realDonaldTrump reaffirmed what he told me in December when he urged me to run on stage: That he supports me & has fully endorsed my Arizona First campaign. I cannot wait to be on the 9th floor as a partner to his America First agenda. Onward!”
Trump also endorsed both Tiffany Smiley and Jerrod Sessler in Washington’s 4th Congressional District in 2024 in which Sessler took the primary and lost in the General Election. As reported by Politico, he also appeared to endorse both Eric Schmitt and Eric Greitens in the 2022 Missouri Senate Primary. He was also interpreted as endorsing both Josh Mandel and now-Vice President J.D. Vance in the Ohio Senate race the same year, which Vance went on to win.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 8, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A set of brand new polls from Kreate Strategies, released on last week, shows that Arizona Republicans favor Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) in the upcoming 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election by approximately a 5-to-1 margin. In a potential General Election matchup, Biggs maintains a two-point advantage over incumbent Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs. Previous polling showed Biggs with a one-point advantage.
The polls, shared by Sean Noble, President of American Encore, queried 842 GOP likely voters for the Primary Election and 1,070 likely voters (39% Republican, 32% Democrat, 30% No Party Preference) for the General Election. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
In a statement to AZ Free News, Noble wrote, “This poll is yet another indicator that Congressman Andy Biggs is the clear choice for Republicans to be their nominee against the failed policies of Governor Hobbs. It also shows that Biggs gives Republicans the best chance to defeat Governor Hobbs in November 2026.”
The polling revealed that Biggs holds a significant 54-point lead over fellow Republican contender Karrin Taylor Robson, 67% to 13%. He maintains a two-point lead over Hobbs 48% to 46% with 6% undecided. Conversely in the General Election polling Robson trails Hobbs 41% to 42% with 17% undecided.
Regarding favorability, the numbers around Biggs and Hobbs appear to have solidified along partisan lines with Hobbs showing 44% overall favorability and a 49% unfavorable view while Biggs holds a 49% favorability with only 33% of likely voters holding an unfavorable view. Robson’s favorability remains wide open but trending negative with 29% favorability, 44% unfavorable view, and 27% undecided.
Among Republicans specifically in the Primary race, Biggs holds an 86% favorability versus Robson who holds a 48% favorability.
In previous polling reported by AZ Free News in January and February, Congressman Biggs has consistently led the field in polls from Data Orbital, Kreate Strategies, and NicoPAC. He has seen the most movement in closing the gap with independent voters and increasing overall favorability.
Among Arizona voters top concerns are inflation, jobs, and costs with 27%, followed by immigration and border patrol with 21%, followed by quality of education and water policy with 9% and 8%, respectively. Among Republicans, immigration remains the top concern with 43% and 18% concerned with inflation, jobs, and cost of living.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 24, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Following a statement from President Donald Trump condemning a series of injunctions from “Radical Left Judges” blocking wide-reaching policy decisions, Arizona Republican Congressman Andy Biggs posted to X to draw attention to his Injunctive Authority Clarification Act. If enacted, the act will significantly curtail the ability of U.S. District Court Judges to impose their decisions nationwide.
In a post from President Trump on Truth Social, he wrote:
“Unlawful Nationwide Injunctions by Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country! These people are Lunatics, who do not care, even a little bit, about the repercussions from their very dangerous and incorrect Decisions and Rulings. Lawyers endlessly search the United States for these Judges, and file lawsuits as quickly as they find them. It is then the obligation of Law abiding Agencies of Government to have these ‘Orders’ overturned.
“The danger is unparalleled! These Judges want to assume the Powers of the Presidency, without having to attain 80 Million Votes. They want all of the advantages with none of the risks. Again, a President has to be allowed to act quickly and decisively about such matters as returning murderers, drug lords, rapists, and other such type criminals back to their Homeland, or to other locations that will allow our Country to be SAFE.
“It is our goal to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and such a high aspiration can never be done if Radical and Highly Partisan Judges are allowed to stand in the way of JUSTICE. STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. If Justice Roberts and the United States Supreme Court do not fix this toxic and unprecedented situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble!”
Congressman Biggs’ bill, H.R. 97, will forbid any court of the United States to “issue an order that purports to restrain the enforcement against a non-party of any statute, regulation, order, or similar authority, unless the non-party is represented by a party acting in a representative capacity pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.”
As of this report per The Hill:
- Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia James Boasberg issued an injunction ordering the Department of Homeland Security to cease deportation of criminal members of the foreign terrorist organizations Tren de Aragua and MS-13 to a prison in El Salvador.
- U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, also of the District of Columbia appointed by President Joe Biden, issued an injunction against the Department of Defense implementing a direct order from the Commander-in-Chief barring ‘transgender’ individuals suffering from gender dysphoria from serving in the military and hindering combat effectiveness.
- U.S. District Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California issued a wide-reaching order, requiring the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs to reinstate terminated probationary employees in direct contravention of President Trump’s orders firing them.
- U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island also issued an inunction against the Trump administration’s order to freeze payments of federal grants pending the results of a fiscal examination.
According to a press release from Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), the Senator announced that he will introduce his own measure that is also designed to “restrict local district court judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions and therefore stymie President Donald Trump’s agenda.” Writing in a post to X Hawley said, “District Court judges have issued RECORD numbers of national injunctions against the Trump administration – a dramatic abuse of judicial authority. I will introduce legislation to stop this abuse for good.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
