Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) says Arizona’s affordability crisis cannot be solved by housing policy alone, arguing that water management, utility costs, state trust lands, natural resource development, and election integrity all require a new approach under the state’s next governor.
In an exclusive interview with AZ Free News, Biggs outlined what he described as the core priorities of a potential administration, saying Arizona’s long-term prosperity depends on responsible resource management while restoring confidence in state government.
“The affordability of housing” is the state’s biggest economic challenge, Biggs said.
“It gets attention, but it doesn’t encompass everything that’s related to it,” he continued. “The water issue is massive, and it goes hand in glove with housing.”
Biggs argued that utility costs, water availability, and management of Arizona’s natural resources all contribute to the state’s affordability challenges.
“But the one aspect to this all that’s not being addressed in this administration… is how do you manage the state’s natural resources, including state trust land?” Biggs said. “That is going to be critical going forward on affordability issues in the state and viability of long-term economic success.”
For Biggs, water policy remains central to that vision. Biggs said Arizona must play a far more active role in negotiations over the future of the Colorado River rather than allowing federal agencies to dictate the outcome.
“You have to be engaged,” Biggs said.
He said he has met with officials from the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Commerce, and the United States Department of Defense, arguing Arizona’s water allocation should reflect the state’s importance to national food production, semiconductor manufacturing, commerce, and defense.
“I’m encouraging all of them… to redo the environmental impact statement so it actually considers the national food security issue… the national defense sector… and the microchips and the industry,” Biggs said.
He also credited bipartisan work with Democrat Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) to secure additional conservation funding for Lower Basin states and said Arizona’s advocacy helped encourage releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to stabilize Lake Powell.
Biggs also called for expanded forest thinning, continued livestock grazing, removal of invasive salt cedar, and responsible development of Arizona’s mineral resources.
“We have 26 of the critical minerals necessary in this state,” Biggs said. “You’ve got to figure out a way to use that and allow for extraction and development in a very rational and sane way.”
Addressing another growing issue, Biggs said he supports data center development but opposes taxpayer incentives.
“I sat down with multiple brokers for data centers and said, ‘Look, here’s the deal. No special breaks. No special benefits,'” Biggs said.
Instead, he said developers should finance their own electrical generation and water infrastructure without reducing resources available to existing residential or commercial customers. “We’re going to allow you guys to develop your power… provided that you do not encroach on current and future commercial and residential users.”
A policy report released by the Goldwater Institute in February warned that Arizona’s growing role as a national hub for data centers could be undermined by municipal regulations driven by concerns over water use, electricity demand, and land use.
On elections, Biggs said restoring public confidence would be among his first priorities if elected governor.
He pointed to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ veto of a Florida-style election integrity bill earlier this year and pledged to sign similar legislation if elected.
“One of the first bills I will sign is that Florida-style election integrity bill in January of 2027,” Biggs said.
Asked about the legal dispute between the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over election administration, Biggs declined to side with either party but said he has spoken with both.
“I think both sides truly want us to have a fair, transparent election,” Biggs said. “They need to get this thing sorted out quickly.”
Biggs said he believes Arizona can become “the leader on election integrity” by the end of a potential administration.
The congressman is facing fellow Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ01), business owner Ken Miceli, and entrepreneur Scott Neely for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the primary and has centered much of his campaign on affordability, border security, government reform, and economic growth.
Stand for Health Freedom has endorsed U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs in Arizona’s governor race, adding another national organization to the growing list of groups and elected officials backing his campaign. The endorsement was announced Wednesday by the organization and the Biggs campaign.
Stand for Health Freedom, which describes itself as a grassroots organization representing nearly one million Americans, advocates for policies centered on medical freedom, informed consent, parental rights, religious liberty, privacy, and free speech. According to the organization, it endorsed Biggs based on his record supporting those issues.
@andybiggs4az has a proven track record of taking a stand for health freedom, we are proud to endorse his race for Governor! https://t.co/CqSumVeHSu
— Stand for Health Freedom (@standforhealth1) July 2, 2026
“We must protect the medical freedoms of Arizonans and ensure everyone can make the right health decisions for their families,” Biggs said in a statement.
“From my bipartisan work in passing Right to Try legislation in Congress to pushing back against outrageous and nonsensical COVID mandates, I’ve fought for the MAHA agenda throughout my time as a legislator. As Governor, I’ll make sure Arizona is the healthiest and freest state in the country so our citizens can thrive and prosper without government overreach into health decisions. I thank the Stand for Health Freedom coalition for their support and I look forward to getting their many Arizona members out to vote in 2026.”
The campaign said Biggs has made outreach to supporters of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement a key component of his gubernatorial campaign, including discussing MAHA priorities during the June Republican gubernatorial debate, television interviews, and meetings with health freedom advocates.
The endorsement comes as health freedom legislation and medical autonomy continue to be active issues in Arizona politics. Lawmakers introduced numerous bills addressing vaccines, medical interventions, parental rights, and informed consent during this year’s legislative session, reflecting the continued prominence of health policy debates that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biggs has built much of his congressional record around limiting federal involvement in health care decisions. In December 2025, he introduced the Putting Patients First Healthcare Freedom Act, a legislative package consolidating conservative health care proposals focused on expanding health savings accounts, increasing price transparency, strengthening health care sharing ministries, and other market-based reforms. Biggs also co-sponsored the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act alongside Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), the companion of a Senate measure from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI).
According to the campaign, the endorsement adds to support Biggs has already received from President Donald Trump, the late Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, U.S. Reps. Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, and Abe Hamadeh, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Maricopa County Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, along with several conservative organizations and more than 40 current and former Arizona legislators.
Arizona House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25) has endorsed Congressman Andy Biggs for Governor, praising his proven ability to unite lawmakers and advance conservative priorities through collaboration with the Legislature.
Carbone, who represents Maricopa County’s West Valley, becomes the 44th current or former state legislator to publicly back Biggs and the first member of State House leadership to do so.
“We need conservative leadership ready to work with the Legislature and advance policies that bring down the cost of living on Arizonans so our state can prosper,” stated Carbone. “Andy Biggs is the best choice to do that from day one as Governor. He understands the legislative process at the Capitol and knows what it takes to make our state thrive. He’ll be a great advocate for the West Valley and for all of Arizona as Governor.”
Carbone also joins the growing list of West Valley elected officials supporting Biggs, including U.S. Congressman Abe Hamadeh, Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko, Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp, and Arizona State Representatives Nick Kupper, Lisa Fink, Michele Peña, David Livingston, and Beverly Pingerelli.
“Majority Leader Carbone has been a champion for thoughtful conservative policies, like expanding our nuclear capabilities to bring utility costs down and supporting pro-growth policies for our Arizona small businesses,” said Congressman Biggs. “Our campaign is focused on building out our support amongst Republican leaders and voters with a positive vision that brings our party together. With less than three weeks until ballots go out for the Republican primary election, we are well prepared for a victory on July 21st before defeating Katie Hobbs in November.”
Biggs has consistently maintained a commanding lead in the Republican primary field, according to multiple independent polls conducted since September 2025. A survey by NextGen Polling found Biggs ahead by 42%, while Emerson College showed him leading by 33%. GrayHouse reported a 24% advantage and Pulse Decision likewise found Biggs leading by 24%.
The most recent poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights, lists Biggs leading the Republican primary field by 30%. The study, conducted May 5-7, 2026, among 996 registered voters in Arizona including 375 registers Republicans, shows Biggs rising to 48% — up from 40% in February.
Biggs leads across key GOP demographics, including:
Men: 50% Biggs – 21% Schweikert
Women: 46% – 15%
Voters Aged 65+: 57% – 17%
Conservatives: 52% – 16%
Trump Supporters: 55% – 16%
Hispanic Republicans: 57% – 9%
Biggs is the only candidate in the Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary endorsed by both President Trump and the late Charlie Kirk. Additional high-profile support includes endorsements from Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk, Arizona Congressmen Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Maricopa County Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart.
Biggs has also secured backing from influential conservative organizations including Turning Point Action, Moms for America Action, and Gun Owners of America-Arizona Chapter. Law enforcement support includes former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, the Arizona Law Enforcement Association, and the Arizona Council of Prisons Locals.
Rep. Biggs leads all Republican gubernatorial candidates in fundraising, with $2.7 million raised and $1.1 million cash on hand, an advantage of more than 10:1 over his closest primary competitor. He has set multiple personal funding records throughout the 2026 cycle.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs released a new campaign video this week titled “A Freer, Safer, More Prosperous Arizona.” The video outlines his vision for the state as the 2026 gubernatorial race continues to take shape.
In the video, Biggs calls for what he describes as a “freer, safer, more prosperous Arizona,” while emphasizing issues including border security, public safety, tax policy, education, and election administration. The video also criticizes policies advanced under Gov. Katie Hobbs and argues Arizona should pursue a more conservative governing approach.
“We have always been rugged individualists. But under this Governor, we’re not leading the way except to go the way of California. We’re following California, for Pete’s sakes. So, for me, when I look at it and say, ‘Why am I running for Governor?’ I know that this state needs a leader that understands the tremendous potential it has and can unleash it using the processes we have in the Legislature and the authority that the Governor has.”
Biggs currently represents Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and previously served as president of the Arizona Senate.
I’m running for Governor to make Arizona a freer, safer, and more prosperous state.
Katie Hobbs is trying to make Arizona more like California.
We have tremendous potential, but we need leadership to get there.
The release comes as the Republican gubernatorial primary field continues to develop ahead of the 2026 election. Biggs announced his gubernatorial campaign earlier this year and has emerged as one of the highest-profile Republicans in the race.
Biggs has centered much of his campaign messaging on border enforcement, tax reductions, school choice expansion, and election reforms. During a recent Turning Point Action rally in Phoenix, Biggs said he would seek to eliminate Arizona’s income tax, create what he described as a stronger state border security operation, and sign election-related legislation previously vetoed by Hobbs.
At that event, Biggs also described his goal as making Arizona “the most free, most prosperous, safest state in the union.”
The campaign has also emphasized Biggs’ relationship with President Donald Trump and his alignment with the broader “America First” movement. Trump endorsed Biggs earlier this year in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Polling from Noble Predictive Insights released in March showed Biggs leading the Republican primary field by 21 points while trailing incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs by five points in a hypothetical general election matchup.
Arizona is shaping up for another tight gubernatorial battle.
Biggs consolidates the GOP primary. Hobbs holds an early advantage. Undecideds remain decisive. Full AZPOP report available now: https://t.co/yyg9z0Kgzk
— Noble Predictive Insights (@NoblePredictive) March 6, 2026
The new video release is the latest in a series of campaign efforts by the Biggs campaign to frame the 2026 race around border security, economic policy, and opposition to the Hobbs administration’s agenda.
The Maricopa County Superior Court has ruled that the leading independent gubernatorial candidate does qualify for the ballot.
Hugh Lytle, an independent under the No Labels Party, announced his victory on Wednesday. Lytle is a Scottsdale businessman: founder and managing partner of El Toro Ventures, founder and board member of Equality Health, co-founder and former CEO of Univita Health, and co-founder and former president of Axia Health.
“These legal tricks to find technicalities to keep an independent off the ballot is exactly why so many people have lost faith in our system,” said Lytle. “When someone even suggests putting people ahead of parties and special interests, the system tries to shut it down. But this time, it didn’t work.”
‼️🚨HUGH IS ON THE BALLOT 🚨‼️
For a long time, a lot of people felt like they didn’t have a voice.
Today changed that.
This was a win for Arizona and for every Independent across the state.
— Hugh Lytle for Governor (@hughforgovernor) April 15, 2026
In a statement given to the media, Lytle claimed the legal challenge against him was rooted in Gov. Katie Hobbs feeling threatened by his candidacy. Lytle has claimed Hobbs was behind the lawsuit because her former chief legal advisor, Sambo “Bo” Dul, was one of the attorneys representing the case against him.
“The judge’s decision is not a personal win for me. It’s a win for the voters, for democracy and for Arizona’s growing Independent movement which gains momentum every day,” said Lytle. “Perhaps that’s why Gov. Hobbs is afraid to face me in an election.”
At contest was the validity of Lytle’s petition sheets, which used a UPS store address located in one district rather than his residential address located in a separate district. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Mandell ruled that district locations didn’t matter for statewide races.
“Mr. Lytle is running for statewide office, not district, precinct, or municipal office. Both the UPS store address and his physical address are in Scottsdale,” stated Mandell. “There is no dispute that Mr. Lytle has been an Arizona resident for many years, that he resides in Maricopa County, and that he satisfies the constitutional and statutory residency requirements for Governor.”
Lytle faced multiple challenges to his candidacy, one from his primary opponent Teri Ann Hourihan, and another from a former Democratic Party legislative district leader, Craig Beckman.
Lytle pledged to not take any salary as governor. He announced his intent to donate his entire first-year salary as governor to Teen Lifeline, and then the remaining years to other charities.
Hugh is committed to donating his entire first-year salary as Governor of Arizona to Teen Lifeline.
After that, he would continue giving his salary to other charities making a real difference across Arizona.
— Hugh Lytle for Governor (@hughforgovernor) April 7, 2026
The No Labels Party attempted to brand itself as the Arizona Independent Party with the help of Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, but the Maricopa County Superior Court ruled against the move as an unlawful “political bait and switch” last month.
There were 21 candidates who filed statements of interest under the No Labels Party, including three for governor (Lytle, Hourihanm and Alan White).
Lytle’s platform includes establishing a mentor corps for youth entrepreneurs, expanding state charity donation benefits, expanding tax deductibility and charity benefits to cover youth sports, increasing teacher pay, limiting school choice by income, and reducing Medicaid costs.
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