Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs announced on Saturday to the Arizona Republican Party’s 2025 Statutory Meeting that, following his “Statement of Interest” to run against Democrat incumbent Governor Katie Hobbs, he is formally running for Governor of Arizona.
Biggs addressed the body, which re-elected AZGOP Chairwoman Gina Swoboda, and made the announcement. Footage shared to X by Activist Nico Delgado captured the moment when Biggs told meeting attendees, “I am jumping in formally to the race for governor in 2026. Thank you.”
BREAKING: Congressman Andy Biggs officially announces that he is running for Governor of Arizona pic.twitter.com/veM2R9n1Zy
“I am jumping in formally,” he said. “It is now time to Make Arizona Great Again,” according to AZ Capitol Times. The outlet noted that Biggs first asked the party leaders if he should get a haircut before asking if they would support his bid for the 9th Floor.
In a follow up post to X later in the day, Biggs wrote, “It’s time to Make Arizona Great Again! I am excited to be in the race for Governor and look forward to serving all Arizonans! Sign my petition at http://biggsforarizona.com!”
It’s time to Make Arizona Great Again! I am excited to be in the race for Governor and look forward to serving all Arizonans!
In an exclusive AZ Free News poll conducted by Data Orbital, Biggs is dominating early polling with 31.7%, a commanding 19.3 point lead over Karrin Taylor Robson. State Treasurer Kimberly Yee trailed with 7.4%
A new poll shows @repandybiggs with a big lead over other potential GOP opponents in the 2026 race for AZ governor. The results saw Biggs take an early polling lead with 31.7%, Taylor Robson who had 12.4% support, & Yee trailed with 7.4% support.https://t.co/jlR5VXRdlU
A subsequent poll released by NicoPAC covered 512 Registered Voters in Arizona “weighed for race, age and gender following a mix of voter registration data, past election data from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, and the ACS.” It saw Biggs take 58.5% with Taylor Robson dropping behind Yee at 8.8%, and the Arizona Treasurer climbing to double digits with 10.8%.
Biggs’ announcement was followed by Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk and was later supported by former his former congressional colleague Matt Gaetz.
In an interview with Steve Bannon’s War Room on Rumble prior to the formal announcement, Congressman Eli Crane also offered his tacit endorsement of Biggs telling Bannon, “I think Andy is the most conservative and probably the strongest member of the U.S. House. He was also President of the Senate in Arizona. He knows Arizona. He knows how the system works better than anybody. I don’t think anybody would do a better job. You know, he has my full support, and I know he has the support of the War Room Posse… I hope he pulls the trigger and goes all the way through with it.”
WATCH:
Former Arizona State Representative Austin Smith also shared his support in a lengthy post to X, writing in part that Arizonans “won’t have a revolving door of contract lobbyists on the 9th Floor deciding what legislation is signed and needs to be vetoed.”
Why @andybiggs4az is the right choice for Republicans in Arizona for 2026:
– effective, reliable and bonafide conservative vote in Congress.
– had the courage to vacate the chair during a do-nothing speakership.
The Arizona Republican leader instrumental in delivering her state for the 47th President of the United States is reportedly running for re-election for chair of her party.
Earlier this month, Garrett Archer, a journalist with ABC15 News, revealed that Gina Swoboda, the current chair of the Republican Party of Arizona, would be running for re-election to her post in January, and that she would be supported by President-elect Donald J. Trump.
The news quickly spread among Arizona Republicans, and several expressed their delight with this reported decision. Arizona Senate President Pro-Tempore T.J. Shope posted, “She has Donald Trump’s support and she has my support! Let’s all rally behind Gina Swoboda for AZGOP Chair!!!”
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp added, “The Boss knows she is the best woman for the job! And so does Arizona! Looking forward to winning 2026 with Gina Swoboda as the State Party Chair!”
The Boss knows she is the best woman for the job! And so does Arizona! Looking forward to winning 2026 with @GinaSwoboda as the State Party Chair! https://t.co/1Db3wy4k8c
Swoboda was unexpectedly pressed into action as chair of state Republican party in January after a vacancy occurred. After quickly securing the endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump, Swoboda had no trouble sailing to victory in the snap election among state committeemen. Her top priority as chair was to re-deliver Arizona’s electoral votes for Trump in November, which she did last month for the General Election.
On Election Night, Swoboda issued a statement of victory after seeing a number of positive results around her state, writing, “This victory is a testament to the grit and determination of Arizonans who believe in the American Dream. We focused on what matters – keeping families safe, bringing down the cost of living, securing our border, and reviving American greatness. We have sent a clear message to Washington: Arizona is red, and when we unite, WE WIN!”
🚨AZGOP On Track for Huge Wins as Trump and Vance Claim Victory🚨
The @AZGOP proudly congratulates President-Elect @realDonaldTrump and Vice President-Elect @JDVance on their HISTORIC victory! As we await the final count of all ballots, the energy and enthusiasm for Republicans…
One night later, after her state was called for Trump, Swoboda posted, “It has been the honor of a lifetime to help elect 45/47. Thank you for believing in me Donald Trump. Thank you AZGOP for allowing me to make history with our beautiful State 48.”
When Trump visited Tempe in late October, he made sure to address Swoboda’s tireless work to help turn out the votes for him and other Republicans across the state, saying, “This woman has done a job […] especially early voting, and we are doing record successful numbers, and I think it’s gonna stay that way. Gina Swoboda, great job – thank you!”
“The @AZGOP Chairwoman has done a job […] especially early voting and we are doing record successful numbers, and I think it’s gonna stay that way. @GinaSwoboda, great job, thank you.”
Under Swoboda’s leadership, Trump won Arizona with a greater margin than he did in 2016; Republicans expanded their majorities in the state House and Senate; incumbent Republican U.S. Congressmen held their seats; Republicans swept the three statewide Arizona Corporation Commission positions, and a key border security measure sailed to victory.
Swoboda’s reported intent to run for re-election for AZGOP chair would likely set up a match-up with State Representative Cory McGarr, who announced his decision to run for the party’s top post earlier this month after losing his seat in the Arizona Legislature. Former Republican candidate for Arizona Governor and U.S. Senate, Kari Lake, thanked McGarr “for getting in this race.”
The AZGOP chair for the next election cycle in 2026 will be critical for Republican efforts to take back major statewide offices – Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Arizona Republicans will have the chance to decide who is the best fit to lead them forward when they reconvene in the new year at the annual AZGOP meeting in Phoenix.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
An outgoing Arizona legislator is running for Republican Party Chair.
Last week, Republican State Representative Cory McGarr announced his candidacy for Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona (AZGOP).
In a statement posted to his X account, McGarr said, “Thanks to our Party’s incredible grassroots and the most robust ballot chase operation in the history of the Republic, Arizona delivered a resounding victory for President Donald Trump and Republicans at nearly every level of the ballot.”
Today, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona.
Thanks to our Party’s incredible grassroots and the most robust ballot chase operation in the history of the Republic, Arizona delivered a resounding victory for President @realDonaldTrump… pic.twitter.com/VWwT2KGnbx
McGarr added, “During these crucial first two years of the incoming Trump administration it is imperative that we have an AZGOP Chairman committed to the job and committed to ensuring President Trump has the support he needs and deserves in this critical swing state. If you entrust me with your vote for state party Chairman, I promise to further empower the grassroots, fearlessly advocate for the America First agenda, maintain our focus on doing more to secure our elections, grow our Republican numbers in the midterms, and most importantly FIRE KATIE HOBBS, KRIS MAYES AND ADRIAN FONTES.”
Former Arizona Republican Governor and Senate nominee, Kari Lake, reacted to the news, posting, “Cory is a grassroots legend and he will work tirelessly to achieve true Election Integrity in Arizona. Thanks for getting in this race, Cory McGarr.”
Cory is a grassroots legend and he will work tirelessly to achieve true Election Integrity in Arizona.
McGarr revealed that both Arizona National Committeeman, Jake Hoffman, and National Committeewoman, Liz Harris, supported his candidacy.
The one-term Republican legislator narrowly lost his seat, when Democrats ran a single-shot candidate in State House District 17. McGarr’s seatmate, Rachel Jones, finished second to Democrat Kevin Volk.
Representative McGarr’s entrance into the AZGOP race potentially sets up a match-up with incumbent chair, Gina Swoboda, who was pressed into duty at the beginning of this year when the position became vacant. Swoboda was responsible for raising money for the party and ensuring that President Trump and Republican candidates up and down the ballot achieved victory. Under her leadership, Trump won Arizona with a greater margin than he did in 2016; Republicans expanded their majorities in the state House and Senate; incumbent Republican U.S. Congressmen held their seats, and a key border security measure sailed to victory.
Swoboda was endorsed by President Donald J. Trump prior to her runaway win for chair in January’s AZGOP meeting. She made his victory in Arizona her primary mission, and was successful with her goal there.
As McGarr stated, the AZGOP chair for the next election cycle will be critical for Republican efforts to take back major statewide offices – Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Arizona Republicans will have the chance to decide who is the best fit to lead them forward when they reconvene in the new year at the annual AZGOP meeting in Phoenix.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s Republican Party leader got a shoutout from a former – and potentially future – President of the United States.
During former President Donald J. Trump’s recent stop in Tempe, he addressed the work of Gina Swoboda, who took the reins of the Republican Party of Arizona earlier this year. Trump said of Swoboda, “This woman has done a job […] especially early voting, and we are doing record successful numbers, and I think it’s gonna stay that way. Gina Swoboda, great job – thank you!”
“The @AZGOP Chairwoman has done a job […] especially early voting and we are doing record successful numbers, and I think it’s gonna stay that way. @GinaSwoboda, great job, thank you.”
When Swoboda threw her services in the ring for the top spot at the AZGOP at the beginning of this year, she quickly earned the endorsement of President Trump, giving her a clear advantage over other candidates in the race. After winning her election for chair, Swoboda posted, “Arizona is the key to the presidency. I was proud to have the support of President Trump in this victory to lead the AZGOP into the most important election of our lifetime. Now it’s time to turn out every last vote for the 47th President, DONALD J TRUMP!”
Since the start of early voting in Arizona, Swoboda has consistently pushed her audiences to return their ballots ahead of the critical date of November 5.
Early voting starts when? TOMORROW!
And you know what doesn’t jam? Your ballot in a signed affidavit envelope, sealed and dropped off early!
As of Friday, October 25, Arizona Republicans have built a lead over Democrats with early ballot returns. Republicans were almost 72,000 returned ballots ahead of Democrats (7.3%).
Rs enjoy a +71,634 (7.3%) advantage over Ds. Instead of our lead in Arizona shrinking or flatlining, it's actually been increasing day-by-day. Very… pic.twitter.com/hy2IAoDYqU
In Maricopa County, Republicans have built an-almost 40,000 ballot advantage over Democrats. While these numbers do not take into account the ballots or votes of the Independents that could decide the fate of many races, banked votes in the state’s largest county could prove to be the difference in Republicans maintaining control over the Arizona Legislature and the county positions up for consideration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Republican Party will forgo tradition and won’t be spending lavishly on an Election Night party this November. Instead, the major swing state party has pledged to put “every dollar” into its candidates as well as those opposition efforts for defeating ranked-choice voting.
The AZGOP announced in a Tuesday press release that it has fundraised $9 million over the last three months.
“All of our resources are being dedicated to helping our candidates win and preventing the far-left from gaining control of our state,” stated the press release. “Instead of spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars on a celebration, we are channeling every dollar directly into our candidates’ efforts.”
The announcement marked a turnaround from the AZGOP’s spending approach during the 2022 election. Under former chairwoman Kelli Ward, the party spent over $530,000 on a party and bus tour for the midterm elections, which ultimately saw a blue wave not seen in half a century: Democrats won the top three statewide races and a Senate seat. Under Ward, the party raised around $3 million.
In the past two weeks, the party says it has funded 22 Republican candidates as well as efforts to defeat ranked-choice voting. Part of the candidate contributions include a “judicial mail campaign” seeking to persuade voters to support certain judges more supportive of the Constitution.
Additionally, the party says it launched a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) program to increase early voting among Republicans.
In her statement, Arizona Republican Party Chair Gina Swoboda said the stakes this year are higher than they’ve been for any other election.
“We believe it’s more important to invest every resource we have into ensuring our candidates’ victories rather than hosting a party,” said Swoboda. It’s all hands on deck until Election Day, and we’re laser-focused on winning up and down the ballot.”
The AZGOP press release came out the same day as the party’s filing for its post-primary election campaign finance report. Per their reporting, the party gave $8,400 to the reelection campaign of State Representative Matt Gress.
The party may be making another big, expensive legal move as well concerning Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters. Swoboda told Axios on Tuesday that counties had indicated to her that they handle UOCAVA voters differently.
Swoboda sent a letter to all county recorders asking for confirmation of UOCAVA voters’ identities, as well as a promise from counties that they reject registrations lacking proof of citizenship. Depending on their answer, the AZGOP or Republican National Committee may take “imminent” action to challenge UOCAVA voters through a lawsuit.
The latest voter registration statistics reflected over 4.1 million total voters: over 1.4 million registered Republicans, nearly 1.4 million “other” voters, nearly 1.2 million registered Democrats, over 30,900 registered Libertarians, over 29,000 registered No Labels voters, and over 3,000 Green voters.
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