Gilbert, Arizona (CNN) – Rep. Andy Biggs, the top Republican candidate for governor of Arizona, often shares with supporters a story about how he worked alongside the late Sen. John Mc Cain to create a law that assists American Indian tribes in sending alerts when children go missing.
This anecdote is part of his campaign speech and would seem typical if not for the way other recent Republican candidates in Arizona have approached Mc Cain’s legacy.
Kari Lake, who was the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, famously told Mc Cain Republicans to “get the hell out” during one of her campaign events. That same year, Senate nominee Blake Masters stated it was “not (Mc Cain’s) Republican Party in Arizona anymore.” Both candidates lost their elections.
Biggs’ recognition of Mc Cain provides an early look at how he plans to address one of his main challenges if he secures the nomination for Arizona governor in Tuesday’s primary election, which is expected. As a hardline conservative supported by President Donald Trump and a key figure in attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, Biggs shares traits with other MAGA figures who energized parts of the Republican base but were ultimately rejected by most voters in Arizona.
If Biggs can persuade voters that he represents a different style of Trump Republican compared to Lake and Masters, it could be crucial for whether the GOP manages to unseat Gov. Katie Hobbs, currently viewed as one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents nationwide or if it continues its trend of close losses in this significant battleground state.
“I don’t believe Arizona is a blue state or even a purple state. It is a red state,” Biggs told CNN on Friday while greeting supporters at a rally focused on getting out the vote. “We just have to remind people.”
At minimum, the state’s political landscape leans more towards red than blue, with around 300,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats. Political strategists from both parties agree that it leans rightward, and Trump’s victory by 6.5 points here two years ago-his largest margin among seven battleground states-gives Republicans reasons for hope.
However, Lake also lost her Senate run during that same election cycle-a result that frustrated many Republicans watching their influence wane in what was once their stronghold. It also highlighted there are potentially hundreds of thousands of split-ticket voters available this November since 1-in-3 voters aren’t affiliated with any political party.
Rep. David Schweikert, who is competing against Biggs in Tuesday’s primary contest, has argued that Republicans can’t risk choosing another Trump-backed candidate like Biggs. Schweikert has consistently won elections in one of Arizona’s most competitive congressional districts and claims he’d bring that success into an election likely decided by independent voters growing increasingly influential.
During last month’s only debate for this race, he directed a question straight at Republicans watching from home.
“Are you tired of losing?”
A long conservative record, for better or worse
On stage, Biggs doesn’t come off as fiery as Lake did during her campaigns. Former local TV anchor Lake frequently made headlines with bold comments that even surprised some within her own party. He isn’t as outspoken as Masters either; Masters came into his campaign with unapologetic views that proved controversial throughout his Senate run.
A lawyer and grandfather at age 67, Biggs appears regularly on Fox News without relying heavily on dramatic rhetoric. His tone tends to be calm; his statements relatively mild-mannered.
“He’s no Kari Lake and that does cut both ways,” said Barrett Marson, an experienced GOP strategist based in Arizona. “The attention she received wasn’t always good press but sometimes simply getting noticed helps your cause. Biggs hardly makes waves on local TV stations; he’s not very exciting.”
Marson added: “But unlike Kari too, he’s genuinely conservative with quite an extensive history-sometimes even to his disadvantage.”
As chairperson of the House Freedom Caucus, Biggs has been among Trump’s staunchest allies while also frustrating House leadership due to his strict positions regularly taken up by him over time. Before entering Congress , he spent fourteen years serving within state legislature earning recognition as oneof Arizona’s leading conservatives
This background has garnered him favor amongst voters withinhis deep red district which helped gain supportfrom Turning Point, a youth-orientedpolitical group foundedby late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk personally endorsed Biggsbefore passingawaylast Septemberandthe Phoenix-based organization vowedto mobilizeits resources behindthe congressman including ballot-chasing efforts assisting Trumpwinin2024. Biggshaspromoted Kirk’ssupportintelevisionads.
Tyler Bowyer , who heads Turning Point ‘s political operationsaidthey wouldn’teffectivelybackanothernominee. p >
“You needtohaveacandidatewhothe grassroots wantssupport” , Bowyer remarked,”and wehaveitwith Andy.” p >
Hisprimarycompetitorshaveattemptedtoargue Republicanvoters should view Biggshistoryasunelectable. Onecandidate Scott Neelyalistingtimeswhen Biggshadopposed”legislationtoprotectsexualabusesurvivors,”includinghis Housecommitteevoteagainstsubpoenathe Epsteinfiles. Incampaignmailers Schweikertcriticized Biggsfor beingseen alongside College Republicans Uniteda far-rightgroupforyoungconservatives, andthe Proud Boys, a white nationalists militia group. p >
However , Schweikertlacksresourcesrequiredtofrequentlybroadcastthismessageontelevision, norhashechallenged Biggontheroad aggressively. Othercandidatesfailedtogaintraction.
Incontrast, Biggsfocuseslesscontroversiallegislationfromhiscareerhighlightingnotonlyhisworkwith Mc Cainbutalsoformersenator Kyrsten Sinema, D-House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffriesand Rep. Ro Khanna, the California progressive. He centeredhisattackson Hobbs criticizingherrepeatedveto usagewhileaccusingherofneglectingcollaborationwithlawmakers addressingrisingcosts.
“I’ve shownyoucanbeaconservative aprincipledconservative and stillachieveresults,”hetoldsupporters Friday.
Somecrowd membersgroaned uponhearing Khanna mentioned. Yetthey’realsohungryforacandidatewhocanachievesuccesswhere Lake failed.
“Godblessherbutwe’rejustreadyforsomethingnew,”said Mickie Martinez, souplittuteacherfrom Gilbert.”It’stime.” p >
One person remains opposedto Arizona Republican Party’srecentdirection: Mc Cain’swidow, Cindy. Sheandtheirson Jimmyareexpectedhostfundraisersfor Hobbsin September. P >
An election denier in charge?
Hobbs alreadyspentmonthspositioningherreelectioneffortsfortargetingindependentvoters. Her campaignallocated $7 milliontowards ads since May emphasizingacentristmessage largely focusedon affordabilityandreintroducingherselfto Arizonians. P >
With Biggsoncuspofwinningthenomination, sheand Democratsaregearingupremind Arizonavoterofhisrecord. Atacampaignstop Mondayin Phoenix, Hobbs referenced Biggsopposition Medicaidexpansion Arizona, pastcommentsabortionandhisinvolvementhelping Trumpblockcertificationelectionresults.
The Housecommitteethat investigated January6th attackonthe U. S. Capitol reportedthat BIGGS urged Trumpnottocede triedorganizing Republicanlawmakerssupportpro-Trump slate electors. Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified BIGGSwasamongfew Republicansrequesting pardonfortheiropartintheeffortstopcertificationelectionresult. Big GShasdeniedtheseclaims repeatedly.
If Andy BIGGScouldbecome Governor Arizonawouldbethefist Swingstatewith Election Denierinchargethat emphasized HOBBSwhooversaw2020 elections Arizona Secretary Stateatthattime.”Andtimetostopthat’sn’t2028. It’Right Now.”
BIGGS told CNN hesatisfiedpeoplecurrentlyrunningelections Maricopa Countylargestcountyinstatefocalpointright conspiratorialattacks elexction. Askedwhetherthequestionsabout2020shoulddebatedfall, BIGGStold CNN:”I’mlookingforward.”
“Ithinkwe’llhavegreat Election””hesaid.
Youre Supportersaren’treadytomoveon. Localofficialspokebefore BIGGS Friday rallysaid HOBBS’ was”named”-notelected Governorin2022. Attendee Ed Runge voicedconcerns aboutrecentlossof statewidecontestsbecausethe”elephant inthe room-integrityelections”. Rungeexpressedhaving”doubts”whether Lake Masterslostmultiple reviewsandaudits confirmedresults. Trumphasn’t ceaseddiscussingelectionstherecentnationaladdress calls Congress overhaulsystemrequireproofcitizenshipvote. Moreattentioncouldfocusissueif BIGGSjoinedticketbystaterepresentative Alexander Kolodinattorneyrepresentedsomehigh-profileeffortschallenge AZ2019results runningsecretarystate facing Gina Swobodaformerdirector ARIZONA republicanpartysupportfrom Trumphasnothighlightedpriorvotes. Unclearthough, whether HOBBSwilldirectlyconfront BIGGSoverhistory. HOBBSdeclineddebate LAKElastyearnarrowlydefeatingwouldcommit Mondaydebating BIGGSThisfall. “There’s plentyoftimetalkaboutthatcomingweeks”HOBBSTold CNN. BIGGS’campaignwelcomesdebate. The-CNN-Wire
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