President Donald Trump has expanded his influence in Arizona’s upcoming Republican primary for governor by endorsing both U.S. Representative Andy Biggs and housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson. This announcement comes after Trump previously endorsed Robson, which sparked discontent among some of his staunch supporters in the state who questioned her ties to the Republican business elite and preferred a candidate more aligned with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
Andy Biggs, a former chair of the U.S. House’s hard-right Freedom Caucus and past state Senate president, has been a close ally of Trump and supported his unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election being compromised. Biggs represents a conservative district that includes cities like Queen Creek and Gilbert and is well-connected with the party’s grassroots. Known for defying party leadership, Biggs was one of eight House Republicans who helped remove Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker in 2023.
Trump expressed his challenge in choosing between two strong candidates, stating on Truth Social, “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.”
In the 2022 governor’s race, Robson was associated with traditional Arizona conservatives, campaigning alongside Republicans like former Governor Doug Ducey and former Vice President Mike Pence, who had fallen out of favor with Trump. Trump, however, supported former television news anchor Kari Lake, who won the GOP primary but lost to the current Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. This election cycle, Robson has been working to align more closely with Trump and his policies, presenting herself as the candidate endorsed by Trump.
Reacting to the dual endorsement, Robson expressed gratitude for Trump’s support and stated her eagerness to work with him on his conservative, America First agenda, saying, “I cannot wait to be in the Governor’s Office as a partner to his conservative, America First agenda. Onward!”
Sean Noble, a general consultant with Biggs’ campaign, expressed enthusiasm for the endorsement, noting that it was anticipated given Trump’s earlier support for Robson. Noble questioned whether Robson should continue in the race, given her heavy reliance on the endorsement as a cornerstone of her campaign.
Trump’s dual endorsement is not unprecedented, as he has supported multiple candidates for the same position in several races since 2017. In 2022, during the U.S. Senate race in Missouri, he endorsed two GOP candidates named Eric. A triple endorsement followed in 2024 for the Missouri governor’s race, supporting Jay Ashcroft, Mike Kehoe, and Bill Eigel.
The Democratic Governors Association described the dual endorsement as a “huge blow” to Robson. The winner of Arizona’s Republican primary is expected to face Governor Katie Hobbs, who currently has no significant opposition for the Democratic nomination.
