Republican Congressman from Arizona Andy Biggs announced his interest in running for governor in 2026 on Tuesday as the GOP seeks to defeat incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Biggs, an ally President Donald Trump and former chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus, has filed a declaration of interest, which is required before he can begin collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot.
However, submitting a declaration does not mean that the candidate will fulfill it.
In a statement released on X, Biggs said he will “bring his experience home to my home state to help it fulfill its enormous capacity. I have a strong understanding of what the state needs moving forward.”
Tail. Andy Biggs speaks during a press conference. Biggs said Tuesday that he is considering a run for governor of Arizona. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Biggs chaired the Freedom Caucus from 2019 to 2021 and was one of eight Republicans who helped oust the former House Speaker Kevin McCarthyR-California, 2023.
If Biggs runs, it could result in a showdown between him and Karrin Taylor Robson, also a Trump ally.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy speaks with Rep.-elect Andy Biggs in the House chamber. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“Are you running for governor? I think Karrin, because if you do, you’ll have my support, OK?” Trump told a crowd last month at the Americafest Turning Point USA event in Phoenix.
Robson ran for governor in 2022, but lost to Kari Lake, who Trump endorsed. Lake lost the election to Hobbs that year, and recently lost the election for US Senate.
In his statement, Biggs said he “looks forward to speaking with my fellow Arizonans as I consider this important decision.”
State Sen. Jake Hoffman, a Republican and founder of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, endorsed Biggs on X.
Kari Lake during a televised interview at a New Hampshire campaign night party with Donald Trump, not pictured, in Nashua, NH on January 23, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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“Andy will make an AMAZING governor and ensure Arizona is safe and prosperous for all,” he wrote.
