Republican Karrin Taylor Robson suspends Arizona governor campaign
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Karrin Taylor Robson. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Karrin Taylor Robson suspended her campaign for governor, effectively turning the Republican primary into a two-person race between U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert.
Why it matters: Robson's departure shakes up the GOP primary as Republicans seek to unseat Democratic incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs in November.
The latest: Robson announced Thursday that she's ending her campaign, saying Republicans can't afford a divisive primary "that drains resources and turns into months of intraparty attacks."
- "It only weakens our conservative cause and gives the left exactly what they want: a fractured Republican Party heading into November. With so much on the line in 2026, I am not willing to contribute to that outcome."
The intrigue: President Trump pledged his support to Robson as she prepared to launch her second campaign for governor, but Biggs, a MAGA favorite backed by the conservative organization Turning Point USA, jumped in first. Both ended up getting the president's endorsement.
- Schweikert further complicated things when he joined the race in September.
- Most polls have shown Biggs with a sizable lead.
Catch up quick: Robson, a businessperson and land use consultant, ran for governor in 2022, falling short to Kari Lake in the Republican primary despite spending more than $18 million of her own money.
- She hasn't self-funded to the same extent this time, spending about $2.2 million personally last year.
Between the lines: Robson was largely the traditional GOP establishment's pick four years ago against Lake, a MAGA firebrand endorsed by Trump.
- In her second race, Robson rebranded herself as more of a MAGA candidate, a lane where Biggs is widely viewed as the favorite.
- Schweikert touted his base as "traditional conservatives" when he joined the race last year and is viewed by many as vying for the same establishment voters that once made up Robson's base.
What they're saying: Biggs lauded Robson in a statement on X "for a well-run campaign" and echoed her call to avoid a "costly, divisive primary."
- Schweikert called her a "good conservative" who "played an important role in so many Republican victories through the years," in a statement provided to Axios.
- Hobbs' campaign manager Nicole DeMont said in a press statement that Robson "saw the writing on the wall and knows that Gov. Katie Hobbs is going to win re-election."
What we're watching: It's unclear whether Robson will endorse another candidate in the race.
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.