Arizona governor 2026

Compare candidates running in this Arizona federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Leezah Sun

Party: Independent

David Schweikert

Party: Republican

Andy Biggs

Party: Republican

Katie Hobbs

Party: Democrat

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Arizona governor

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
toss up★ Flip PotentialCook Political Report - labeled 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race a 'Toss Up'

Arizona is one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state President Trump won in 2024 by 5.5 points. The state is a purple swing state where Hobbs won in 2022 by just 0.67% over Kari Lake, making 2026 highly competitive and nationally significant.

Leezah SunI
David SchweikertR
Andy BiggsR
Katie HobbsD

Summary

Leezah Sun is a former Democratic state representative who was elected to the Arizona House in 2022 representing Legislative District 22 (Tolleson, Goodyear, Avondale). She resigned in January 2024 following an ethics investigation that found her guilty of disorderly conduct, misconduct in office, and abuse of authority. She is now running as an independent in 2026 on an anti-corporate platform. Sun is currently serving on the Tolleson Union High School District governing board but is facing a recall effort.

David Schweikert is a 14-year U.S. Congressman representing Arizona's 1st Congressional District (Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills area) since 2011. Born March 3, 1962 in Los Angeles, he grew up in Scottsdale as an adoptee. He earned degrees from Scottsdale Community College, Arizona State University (B.S. 1988, M.B.A. 2005) and worked as businessman, realtor, and financial consultant. He was founding member of House Freedom Caucus but left in 2023, not wanting association with far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus. He entered the 2026 gubernatorial race in September 2025, declaring Washington 'unsaveable' while Arizona is 'savable,' arguing his competitive district record proves he can win purple Arizona.

Andy Biggs is a five-term U.S. Congressman representing Arizona's 5th Congressional District since 2017. Born November 7, 1958 in Tucson, he served as president of the Arizona Senate (2013-2017) and as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus (2019-2022). He is a Trump ally who supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election. A lawyer with degrees from BYU and University of Arizona, Biggs is endorsed by President Trump and Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA. He is currently the front-runner in the Republican primary with substantial name recognition and conservative base support.

Katie Hobbs is Arizona's 24th governor, serving since January 2023. Born December 28, 1969 in Phoenix, she earned degrees in social work from NAU and ASU and worked as a social worker for homeless youth and as director of a domestic violence shelter. She served in the Arizona House (2011-2013) and Senate (2013-2019), including two terms as Senate Minority Leader, before being elected Secretary of State (2019-2023). She narrowly defeated Kari Lake in 2022 with 50.3% of the vote. Hobbs is a cautious campaigner who limited media access in 2022 and declined to debate her opponent, instead focusing on scripted public events.

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Take on corporate influence in politics
  • Anti-establishment independent campaign
Economy
  • Conservative pro-growth economic policies and job growth
  • Protect taxpayers and cut government waste
Other
  • Defend Second Amendment rights
Economy
  • Eliminate state income tax
  • Cut waste, fraud and abuse in state government
Immigration
  • Secure Arizona's border and crack down on illegal immigration
Other
  • Make Arizona 'the Florida of the West' under conservative leadership
Healthcare
  • Protect and expand reproductive rights and abortion access
Environment
  • Address water crisis and secure Arizona's water future
Economy
  • Make housing more affordable through tax relief and reducing red tape
Education
  • Invest in public education and fix school system
Immigration
  • Secure border with federal cooperation and responsible immigration approach

Key Issue Positions

Corporate Influence & Campaign Finance
Opposes corporate donations to politicians on both sides
Frames campaign as anti-establishment and focused on working class
Abortion
Anti-abortion with nuanced exceptions
Holds anti-abortion stance and supported 2022 Roe overturning decision. However, expressed opposition to Arizona Supreme Court's near-total abortion ban in April 2024, saying it was too extreme
National debt and spending
Fiscal conservative concerned about national debt
Known as 'stalwart champion on cutting spending, keeping taxes low, and sounding alarm about national security threat of national debt'
Trump's tariffs
Supporter of Trump tariffs
Voted for Trump's tariff policies despite some economic concerns
Climate change
Climate change skeptic
Wrote to Arizona Republic: 'I do not believe climate change is occurring'
COVID-19 response
Opposed mask mandates and pandemic restrictions; skeptical of health experts
Opposed masks, questioned Fauci and Birx credibility, called lockdowns 'hysteria from Democratic Leftists,' promoted hydroxychloroquine
Medicaid expansion
Opposed Medicaid expansion
Was one of 36 GOP legislators who sued to block Arizona's Medicaid expansion under ACA
Election integrity
Supported efforts to overturn 2020 election
Allegedly supported failed efforts to overturn Trump's 2020 loss; denied helping organize January 6 but supported related efforts
Constitutional amendments (Article V convention)
Opposes Article V constitutional convention
Published 2015 book 'The Con of the Con-Con' opposing Article V convention; blocked resolution as Arizona Senate president
Abortion rights and reproductive freedom
Strong supporter of abortion access and contraception availability
Repealed 1864 total abortion ban in 2024; made birth control available OTC; positioned Arizona as firewall against national anti-abortion efforts
Water security
Pragmatic focus on conservation and groundwater protection
Negotiated Ag-to-Urban legislation; canceled Saudi-owned farm leases; active in Colorado River negotiations
Border security
Rejects performative border 'stunts'; emphasizes local law enforcement support and drug interdiction
Launched fentanyl task force; deployed National Guard; opposes mass deportations; supports federal immigration reform
Election integrity
Strong defender of voting access and election security
As Secretary of State, defended 2020 election results; faced death threats; brought election access focus to governorship

Top Donors

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

No donor data available.

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Housing affordability is top priority that she will address
Contradiction: Vetoed bipartisan housing bill in March 2024 that would have increased supply by reducing construction barriers

What Opponents Say

No opponent claims documented.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Schweikert voted to gut Arizonans' health care in favor of tax cuts for billionaires and voted against releasing Epstein files

DCCC response to Schweikert entering governor's race

Arizona Mirror analysis

Schweikert only entered governor's race because he was likely to lose his reelection bid in competitive CD-1

Timing analysis of his announcement to abandon Congress

No opponent claims documented.

Andy Biggs

Under Katie Hobbs, Arizona has plummeted to 47th in job growth while our communities became less safe and hundreds of law enforcement jobs remain unfilled

Biggs' main attack on Hobbs' economic and public safety record in 2026 campaign

Karrin Taylor Robson

Katie Hobbs has been an utter disaster for Arizona. Instead of working with President Trump, Hobbs has fought against his America First agenda at every turn

Robson's campaign criticism of Hobbs' record and Trump alignment

Endorsements

No endorsements listed.

No endorsements listed.

President Donald Trumpindividual
Charlie Kirk / Turning Point USAorganization
State Sen. Jake Hoffmanindividual
President Joe Bidenindividual
Representative Liz Cheneyindividual
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workersorganization