GOP candidates pitch themselves as best to beat Arizona Governor Hobbs
12 reported
Two Republican congressmen running for Arizona governor argued at a Wednesday debate that they are the candidate with the broadest voter appeal to defeat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, as the state faces affordability struggles. U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, the GOP primary front-runner endorsed by President Donald Trump, said polling data shows he is the most competitive with Hobbs. U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, who has survived three tough Democratic challenges, said his focus on government finances and recruiting new business makes him the singular candidate. Businessman Scott Neely, who ran an unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial campaign, said after the debate that if Biggs wins the primary, Republicans will lose the election. The winner of the July 21 primary will face Hobbs, who is running unopposed in the primary.
What’s reported
The debate took place Wednesday, with two Republican congressmen pitching themselves as the best to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs is the GOP primary front-runner and has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Biggs said polling data shows he is the most competitive with Hobbs.
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert said his focus on government finances and recruiting new business makes him the singular candidate.
Businessman Scott Neely said after the debate that if Biggs wins the primary, Republicans will lose the election.
The primary is July 21; Hobbs is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Biggs has served five terms in the U.S. House and previously served in the Arizona Legislature from 2003 to 2016, including four years as state Senate president.
Schweikert has served eight terms in the U.S. House, representing an affluent district including parts of northeast Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Schweikert received a $125,000 fine from the Federal Election Commission in 2022 for misappropriating campaign funds, and in 2020 agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and accept 11 campaign finance violations.
Biggs voiced support for Arizona’s three-year moratorium on tax incentives for new data centers.
Schweikert bemoaned Arizona’s affordability rankings as “pretty miserable” and vowed to recruit businesses and push for wage growth.
Both congressmen were asked about expired healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act; Schweikert said subsidizing everything in the economy will not work, and Biggs said he introduced legislation to bring down healthcare costs and supported Trump’s health savings account proposal.
Key figures
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs: Republican candidate for Arizona governor, GOP primary front-runner, endorsed by President Donald Trump.
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert: Republican candidate for Arizona governor.
Gov. Katie Hobbs: Democratic incumbent governor of Arizona.
Scott Neely: Businessman and Republican candidate for Arizona governor.
President Donald Trump: Endorsed Biggs.
Sources: abcnews.com
