Arizona Representative Andy Biggs has secured the Republican nomination for governor after winning the state’s primary election on Tuesday night, setting up a competitive general election contest against Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.
Biggs, 67, who has represented Arizona’s 5th Congressional District since 2017, won decisively with 73.4% of the vote according to multiple media outlets. His campaign received backing from former President Donald Trump.
The congressman has faced scrutiny over his associations with far-right figures, including internet personality Stew Peters, who has made antisemitic statements and called for the deportation of American Jews. During a June 2023 appearance on Peters’ show, Biggs discussed government corruption and expressed support for abolishing the FBI, telling Peters to “keep preaching.”
Biggs’ primary opponent, Representative David Schweikert, attempted to highlight these connections in a campaign mailer that linked Biggs to white supremacy and antisemitism, specifically referencing his interview with Peters and his endorsement of Texas GOP candidate Brandon Herrera, who owns a copy of Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
In response to these criticisms, Biggs has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. During a local television interview last month, he stated, “This notion that I am antisemitic is absolutely one of the most ludicrous, insane arguments ever.”
Biggs Opposes Antisemitism Awareness Act
In 2024, Biggs voted against the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act, despite previously stating his opposition to antisemitism. He criticized the legislation as unconstitutionally drafted and potentially harmful to religious freedom, particularly concerning Christian communities. Conservative Republicans objected to portions of the bill that referenced definitions of antisemitism including claims about Jewish responsibility for the death of Jesus.
That same year, Bigbs attended a rally co-sponsored by the Proud Boys, designated as an extremist group by federal authorities. In 2019, he spoke at a “Patriotism over Socialism” rally in Arizona that watchdog organizations warned could attract extremist elements.
Media Matters, which monitors conservative media and organizations, noted in 2023 that “the links between Biggs and far-right extremists have been well-documented,” citing his connections to groups including the Oath Keepers.
The Republican Jewish Coalition did not respond to inquiries regarding their position on Biggs’ gubernatorial campaign.
At his victory event on Tuesday, Governor Hobbs criticized Biggs for his stance on the 2020 presidential election results and his refusal to acknowledge her narrow 2022 gubernatorial victory over Republican Kari Lake.
