Former State Senate President highlights work with Senator John McCain and Congressional Democrats
GILBERT, AZ—After Wednesday night’s Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission debate featuring GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Andy Biggs, Arizona media coverage and pundits agreed Biggs won the debate and made a strong case to Independents with his track record of reaching across the aisle to get things done for the state.
A roundup of coverage and highlights can be found below:
Arizona Republic: “From his first minutes at the microphone, the race’s front-runner, Biggs, courted independent voters. He’ll need them not to win the July primary election, but in November if he secures the GOP nomination. And as he has since he launched his campaign, Biggs made sitting Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs his foremost opponent — even while on stage with three other Republican hopefuls. “I have to ask Arizona, are you better off today than you were four years ago under Gov. Katie Hobbs leadership?” Biggs said. “Katie Hobbs has taken us down in various times to be in the bottom five for wage growth, job growth, and currently at number 43 with affordability. … I remain optimistic for this state because under Gov. Andy Biggs’ administration, we’re going to restore the American dream to Arizona.“
KJZZ Phoenix: ‘In every poll that’s been released, I am the most competitive Republican in the entire state with Katie Hobbs,” Biggs said. He noted multiple times that Gov. Hobbs is under investigation for an alleged pay-to-play scheme. “I know how to reach across the aisle and when people find that out, they find that rewarding and refreshing. … I work so well with the opposition that just a week or two ago, I passed another bill unanimously out of the House with my original cosponsor was the Democrat from Virginia,” Biggs said, referring to H.R. 8466, to prevent fraud with emergency funding.’
Arizona Capitol Times: “Instead, Congressmen Andy Biggs and David Schweikert shared their allotted time courting independent voters, “geeking out” on state budget math and taking shots at incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Biggs, who entered the race in early 2025, is expected by many to handily defeat Schweikert in the July 21 Republican primary. Polling numbers, political donations and local endorsements have all leaned in Biggs’ favor, and he also nabbed the coveted blessing from President Donald Trump. Political consultants told the Arizona Capitol Times in a post-debate briefing that Schweikert did not do much to shift those tailwinds in his direction.”
Arizona Mirror: “Biggs, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, said he also has a history of reaching across the aisle, citing his work with Democrat-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema and the late John McCain as examples. Biggs also mentioned his work in 2018 alongside Democratic U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on an anti-corruption bill, which he used to segue into accusations that Hobbs engaged in a pay-to-play scheme, which Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating.”
Associated Press: “U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, who is the GOP primary’s front-runner and has the endorsement of President Donald Trump, portrayed himself as being able to cross party lines and having the right experience to be the state’s chief executive. “There’s not a doubt in my mind, if you look at the polling data that you’re going to find, I am the most competitive with Katie Hobbs of anybody on this stage in any Republican in the state,” Biggs said.”
KTAR: “Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican who has endorsed Biggs and watched the debate from KTAR News 92.3 FM’s studios, said the congressman performed like the clear leader. “I think Biggs was, as he should, the front-runner, way ahead. I think he played it safe, but I think he also showed he’s a strong, serious, steady leader,” Petersen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Evening News. Petersen also disputed the argument that Schweikert is more electable in November, pointing to head-to-head polling against Hobbs. “The numbers are actually showing that (Biggs) is the strongest candidate to beat Katie Hobbs,” Petersen said. “He’s the only one that actually has a poll that shows him beating her.”
BIGGS OPENING STATEMENT
BIGGS IS MOST ELECTABLE CANDIDATE
BIGGS LEADS ON WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
BIGGS WILL LEAD ON ROOTING OUT FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE
BIGGS DEFENDS SCHOOL CHOICE IN ARIZONA
BIGGS CLOSING STATEMENT
