Schweikert Challenges Biggs on Electability During Governor Debate
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission said the debate comes as Arizona’s Republican governor race has four candidates ahead of the July 21 primary.
- Republican gubernatorial candidates Andy Biggs, Ken Miceli, Scott Neely, and Rep. David Schweikert participated in a debate at Sneaky Big Studios in Scottsdale on yesterday, bringing together the four GOP candidates for the 2026 primary.
- Biggs entered the race in early 2025 as the frontrunner, holding a significant polling lead and securing the endorsement of President Donald Trump, positioning him to handily defeat Schweikert in the primary.
- Schweikert challenged the influence of Turning Point USA, claiming the group's political action committee spent nearly $500,000 to support Biggs. Biggs denied being "bedfellows" with the organization after the debate.
- Candidates discussed water usage by data centers, with Biggs supporting a three-year moratorium on tax incentives that he credited to the Arizona Legislature and pledged to continue as governor.
- The Republican primary is scheduled for July 21, with the winner facing Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who has not yet committed to debating her eventual Republican opponent.
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Arizona Capitol Times
Rose Law Group ReporterBiggs, Schweikert skip the fireworks in tame GOP governor debate
Those tuning in to the Republican gubernatorial primary debate on June 17 expecting to see two frontrunners at each other’s throats likely left disappointed.
4 GOP rivals for AZ governor debate electability, other issues
Arizona’s Republican candidates for governor sparred over mail-in voting, tax cuts, school vouchers and data centers during a televised primary debate. Front-runner Andy Biggs faced criticism from rivals who questioned his electability, while the candidates offered differing visions for election…
In GOP governor debate, Biggs sets sights on Hobbs while Schweikert tries to slow him down
Rep. Andy Biggs (left), Ken Miceli, Scott Neely and Rep. David Schweikert debate in the 2026 AZ Clean Elections governor primary debate at Sneaky Big Studios in Scottsdale on June 17, 2026. (Pool photo by Diannie Chavez/The Arizona Republic)Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs told Arizonans on Wednesday evening that he’s got the best chance of beating Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November. Biggs’ chief opponent in the Republican primary for Arizo…
Schweikert challenges Biggs on electability during governor debate
Four Republican candidates for Arizona governor faced off in their only televised debate before early voting begins. Andy Biggs pushed a plan to eliminate the state income tax, arguing fraud savings could help cover the cost. Ken Miceli, Scott Neely and David Schweikert also pitched their own plans to lower taxes. The debate stayed mostly civil until Schweikert questioned Biggs’ electability and ties to Turning Point USA. Biggs fired back, sayin…
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