Trump-backed Karrin Taylor Robson exits Arizona governor race
Trump-backed candidate Karrin Taylor Robson dropped out of the Arizona governor’s race, leaving Rep. Andy Biggs as the only trump-endorsed candidate in the GOP primary. previously,Trump had endorsed both Robson and Biggs for the 2026 race,and the field expanded to three in November 2025 when David Schweikert joined; Robson is stepping back to avoid a divisive primary,and she did not endorse another candidate. Biggs has the backing of Turning Point USA, and the primary is set for july 21 with the general election on November 3.
Emerson College polling from late 2025 showed Biggs leading Robson by about 33 points in the primary (roughly 50% for Biggs, 17% for Robson, 8% for Schweikert, with 25% undecided), suggesting Robson’s supporters might swing to Biggs.In hypothetical 2026 general-election matchups, Hobbs (D) led all three GOP contenders: Hobbs over Biggs 44% to 43%, over Robson 43% to 42%, and over Schweikert 44% to 39%. The Cook Political Report also rates the general election as a toss-up. Arizona’s GOP primary is on July 21, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026.
Trump-backed candidate exits Arizona governor race, setting up battle between two GOP reps
Trump-backed Republican Karrin Taylor Robson dropped her bid for Arizona governor Thursday, setting up Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) as the only Trump-endorsed candidate in the now two-person GOP primary.
Trump made the rare decision in April 2025 to back both Robson and Biggs in the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race. The GOP primary to choose who takes on Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) in the general election grew to three candidates in November 2025, when Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) hopped into the race. Robson said she’s bowing out to avoid a divisive primary.
“We cannot afford a divisive Republican primary that drains resources and turns into months of intraparty attacks,” Robson said in a statement. “It only weakens our conservative cause and gives the left exactly what they want: a fractured Republican Party heading into November. With so much on the line in 2026, I am not willing to contribute to that outcome.”
The latest Emerson College poll had Biggs leading Robson by 33 percentage points in the primary challenge, estimating Biggs at 50%, Robson at 17%, and Schweikert trailing at 8%, with 25% of voters still undecided. As the two Trump-backed candidates, many of Robson’s voters are likely to swing toward Biggs.
Biggs also boasts the endorsement of Turning Point USA.
Robson, a former Board of Regents member, did not endorse another candidate in her immediate statement. Robson ran in the 2022 GOP primary, losing to Kari Lake by about 4.9 percentage points.
“While I am stepping back from this race, I am not stepping back from the fight for Arizona’s future,” Robson said. “I encourage my supporters to stay engaged, stay involved, and stay focused on the mission ahead. Arizona is worth fighting for, and this election will determine the direction of our state for years to come.”
Hobbs bested Lake in the 2022 general election by under 1 percentage point, inching out with 50.3% of the vote compared to Lake’s 49.6%.
The Cook Political Report sees the 2026 gubernatorial election as a toss-up.
KIRK-ENDORSED BIGGS TRAILS HOBBS BY ONE POINT, AS ANOTHER TEST OF TPUSA’S INFLUENCE ON HORIZON
In Emerson College’s hypothetical 2026 general election matchup polls from November 2025, Hobbs just took the cake in each of her matchups against the three GOP candidates. The Democratic incumbent led Biggs by a hair, with 44% of likely voters’ support compared to Biggs’s 43%. Hobbs led Robson 43% to 42%, and Hobbs led Schweikert 44% to 39%.
Arizona’s gubernatorial primary elections will be held on July 21, with the general election on Nov. 3.
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