President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs for next year’s Republican primary for Arizona governor, adding to his previous backing of housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson. This endorsement of Biggs, a former chair of the U.S. House’s Freedom Caucus and a strong Trump ally, comes amid his ongoing support for Robson, who has ties to the Republican business establishment and faced some resistance from Trump’s base in Arizona.
Biggs, who represents a conservative district in Arizona, has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s unfounded claims about the 2020 election and has a history of challenging party leadership. Notably, he was among the Republicans who helped oust Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker in 2023. Biggs is known for his alignment with the grassroots of the party, giving him strong credibility among Trump supporters.
Trump praised both candidates, calling them “fantastic,” and expressed his honor in endorsing both. “When Andy Biggs decided to run for Governor, quite unexpectedly, I had a problem,” Trump said, emphasizing his support for both individuals.
In the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race, Robson aligned herself with traditional conservative figures in the state, which included former Gov. Doug Ducey and former Vice President Mike Pence. She faced criticism from Trump’s loyalists, and despite her efforts, she lost the GOP primary to Kari Lake. This time around, Robson is seeking to closely align herself with Trump’s “America First” policies, openly embracing the president’s endorsement.
Reacting to the dual endorsement, Robson expressed gratitude, saying, “I cannot wait to be in the Governor’s Office as a partner to his conservative, America First agenda.” She indicated her eagerness to continue the political momentum.
Meanwhile, Biggs’ campaign consultant, Sean Noble, expressed excitement over the endorsement but also questioned whether Robson should stay in the race given her earlier reliance on Trump’s support. “It does call into question whether she should stay in the race,” Noble said.
Trump has previously issued multiple endorsements for different candidates in the same race. In 2022, he endorsed two Republican candidates in Missouri’s U.S. Senate race and offered a triple endorsement in Missouri’s 2024 gubernatorial race.
The Democratic Governors Association reacted to the dual endorsement, calling it a significant setback for Robson’s campaign. The winner of the GOP primary is expected to face Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in the general election.