Republican Karrin Taylor Robson has suspended her campaign for Arizona governor, becoming the first major GOP candidate to exit the 2026 race.
Robson, who previously secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the contest, announced Thursday that she was stepping aside to avoid a divisive primary that could weaken Republicans ahead of the general election.
Her departure narrows the field to two sitting members of Congress: U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert.
Citing Party Unity
In a statement, Robson said she was concerned that a prolonged and costly Republican primary would drain resources and deepen internal party divisions at a time when the GOP is focused on defeating Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November.
She pledged to remain active in Republican politics and encouraged her supporters to stay engaged in the 2026 effort.
Robson’s exit comes after Trump also threw his support behind Biggs, creating an unusual dynamic in which two GOP candidates could claim a full-throated endorsement from the president.
Biggs: Conservative Firebrand
Biggs represents Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, which covers much of the East Valley, including Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler.
First elected to Congress in 2016, Biggs previously served in both the Arizona House and Senate. In Washington, he became a leading figure in the conservative House Freedom Caucus, serving as its chair from 2019 to 2022.
During the Trump era, Biggs emerged as a high-profile conservative voice, building strong support among grassroots activists and aligning closely with the MAGA wing of the party. He now enters the primary with Trump’s endorsement and a solid base among the party’s most engaged voters.
Schweikert: Fiscal Conservative
Schweikert represents Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. He has served in the U.S. House since 2011, making him one of Arizona’s longest-serving congressional Republicans.
Before his time in Congress, Schweikert served in the Arizona Legislature and as Maricopa County treasurer.
In Washington, he has focused heavily on fiscal and budget policy, earning a reputation as a budget hawk and free-market conservative. He frames his campaign around reducing government waste, promoting economic growth, and restoring fiscal discipline.
Unlike Biggs, Schweikert has not carried a high-profile MAGA label and entered the race without Trump’s endorsement.
Schweikert also gave up reelection to his competitive House seat to pursue the governorship, signaling both ambition and confidence that his message can appeal to a broad cross-section of Republican voters.
A Direct Contest Ahead
With Robson out, the Republican primary becomes a clearer head-to-head matchup.
Biggs brings Trump’s backing and strong grassroots energy. Schweikert offers experience on fiscal policy and a more traditional conservative profile.
The contrast sets up a test within the Arizona GOP: whether primary voters prefer a nationally aligned conservative firebrand or a veteran lawmaker focused on budget issues and economic policy.
Either way, Republicans now face a streamlined contest as they work to position themselves for a challenge against Hobbs in November.
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Biggs has my vote and he can take Hobbs out if there are no midnight boxes removed from under the tables when the votes are counted. Trump and the republicans need to remove that possibility! And I would not have voted for her, she can’t beat anyone.