Andy Biggs, David Schweikert on their plans if elected governor
Republican frontrunners Andy Biggs and David Schweikert outlined their plans to address Arizona’s affordability crisis if elected governor, including eliminating the state income tax and repealing housing moratoriums, ahead of the November race against Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs. Biggs, a Trump ally, emphasized slashing taxes, boosting energy production, and implementing the MAHA agenda, while Schweikert focused on economic growth and wage increases, though both prioritize competing with Texas and Nevada for business.
Arizona’s gubernatorial race is drawing national attention as Republican candidates Andy Biggs and David Schweikert compete for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November. Both men, longtime conservatives in Congress, have outlined starkly similar but ideologically nuanced plans to tackle the state’s affordability crisis, with Biggs—President Donald Trump’s close ally—ranking Trump’s performance as 4.5 out of 5 without elaborating on the deduction. Biggs, the Republican frontrunner, proposed eliminating the state income tax entirely to make Arizona competitive with Texas and Nevada, while also repealing Hobbs’ housing moratorium to spur construction and reduce costs. He further pledged to prioritize natural gas and nuclear energy over wind and solar, citing reliability and affordability, and vowed to reform the State Land Department to cut taxes further. His administration would also focus on public safety, water management, and implementing the MAHA agenda at the state level. Schweikert, another conservative but less overtly aligned with Trump, centered his platform on strengthening Arizona’s economy, increasing wage growth, and reversing what he described as a decline in the state’s appeal for residents and businesses. Both candidates emphasized housing affordability as a key issue, though Schweikert did not specify tax elimination or energy policy shifts as prominently as Biggs. The race is among the most closely watched gubernatorial contests nationally due to Arizona’s swing-state status. Hobbs, who faces no Democratic opposition, has not yet responded to similar questions from *The Arizona Republic*. Two other Republican candidates, Ken Miceli and Scott Neely, declined repeated requests for comment, with Neely having previously lost the 2022 GOP primary in a five-way race. Biggs and Schweikert’s platforms reflect broader conservative priorities in Arizona, including tax cuts, deregulation, and economic competition with neighboring states. Their differing approaches to Trump’s role and energy policy highlight ideological tensions within the GOP, even as both aim to position Arizona as a leader in affordability and job creation.
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