Trump-backed firebrand wins Arizona GOP governor primary, setting up high-stakes showdown

President Donald Trump's kingmaker position successful Republican primaries was connected nan statement Tuesday successful Arizona's GOP gubernatorial information showdown – and nan president easy passed nan test.

Rep. Andy Biggs, a erstwhile House Freedom Caucus chair who landed nan president's endorsement, captured nan GOP information for Arizona governor pinch much than 70% of nan vote, nan Associated Press reported pinch conscionable nether 50% of nan votes counted Tuesday night. He was beating his nearest competitor by much than 50% astatine that point. 

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Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., speaks during a Turning Point USA arena astatine Dream City Church successful Phoenix, Arizona, connected April 17, 2026. (Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS)

Biggs topped Republican Rep. David Schweikert, who had 17% of nan ballot pinch conscionable nether 50% of nan full counted, arsenic good arsenic actual pumping contractor Scott Neely, 7%, who was making his 2nd consecutive tally for governor, and business proprietor Ken Miceli, 5.4%, to triumph nan nomination.

Biggs will now look disconnected successful nan wide predetermination pinch Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, a erstwhile Arizona Secretary of State who narrowly defeated then-GOP nominee Kari Lake 4 years ago. Hobbs was unopposed arsenic she ran for re-nomination successful nan southwestern battleground.

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is moving for re-election successful nan southwestern battleground successful 2026. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

The Republican superior turned combative and expensive.

Schweikert earlier this twelvemonth went up pinch run mailers accusing Biggs of associating pinch achromatic supremacist and antisemitic groups. Responding, nan Biggs run branded nan move arsenic "a hopeless maneuver by our opponent."

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Republican Rep. David Schweikert ran for Arizona politician successful 2026 alternatively than activity re-election. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Biggs, who was besides backed by nan governmental helping of nan blimpish powerhouse Turning Point USA, mostly ignored his rivals and only joined them connected nan shape astatine 1 of nan aggregate debates.

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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is moving for re-election this year. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Trump's endorsements successful a fistful of cardinal races, including successful a apical plaything legislature district, could effect nan midterm battles for nan House mostly and power of governors' offices.