Republican Karrin Taylor Robson launches campaign for Arizona governor
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Karrin Taylor Robson heavily touted President Trump's support as she launched her campaign for governor in 2026. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Businessperson Karrin Taylor Robson on Wednesday announced her long-anticipated campaign for Arizona governor, likely bringing millions of dollars and President Trump's backing into the 2026 GOP primary.
The big picture: Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs ended 14 years of GOP control when she won the governor's race in 2022, and Republicans are itching to take the office back next year when she runs for re-election.
State of play: Robson launched her campaign with an announcement video that closely tied her to the president and declared, "Arizona needs a strong governor who will help President Trump lock down our border."
- She touted herself as a "Trump-endorsed businesswoman" who would focus on job creation, a strong border, a strong economy, and is "tough as nails on illegal immigration."
The intrigue: During a December rally in Phoenix, Trump said if Robson runs for governor, she'd "have my support."
Catch up quick: Robson is a businessperson who spent much of her career in real estate development and runs a land use consultancy. She has long been involved in Republican politics.
- She ran for governor in 2022, losing the GOP primary to former television news anchor Kari Lake.
- Robson also operated a super PAC that helped elect Republicans to the state Legislature in 2024, when the GOP expanded its narrow majorities in both chambers.
Between the lines: Robson likely brings extensive political support to the campaign along with substantial financial resources.
- She put more than $18 million of her own money into her 2022 campaign.
Friction point: U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs is also seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
- Many of Trump's allies in Arizona support Biggs, who has long been a favorite of the party's right wing, and oppose Robson, whom they view as a part of the traditional GOP establishment.
- Sean Noble, a Republican consultant helping Biggs, told Axios he thinks the Trump endorsement isn't a done deal and the president could still back Biggs or give a dual endorsement, as he did in the 8th Congressional District last year.
- If Trump sticks with Robson, Noble predicted the bulk of the president's supporters will still back Biggs.
Biggs said in a statement on X that he didn't tell Trump he was considering a gubernatorial campaign until he was certain, and he has a great relationship with the president.
What we're watching: The primary should be a competitive one, said Kirk Adams, who runs a lobbying and consulting firm and served as chief of staff to former Gov. Doug Ducey.
- Biggs, a former state Senate president, has credentials from his time in state government and previous leadership of the conservative Freedom Caucus, Adams told Axios.
- And he'll get support from the "Turning Point machine," referencing the conservative youth activist organization.
- But the most important thing in a GOP primary is Trump's endorsement, Adams said, and right now, Robson has it.
The other side: The Hobbs campaign declined to comment on Robson's candidacy, while the Arizona Democratic Party called her a "Trump puppet" who's "more concerned about earning Trump's support than doing what's right for Arizona."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with new reporting throughout.