U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs cruised to an easy victory in the Republican primary for governor last night, setting up a showdown with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Why it matters: Hobbs is likely the most vulnerable Democratic governor seeking re-election in the U.S. this year.

The big picture: Arizona has for generations been reliably Republican, but the state has become more competitive in recent years and Republicans have lost winnable races after nominating right-wing, MAGA candidates for major offices.

State of play: Hobbs and her allies will seek to paint Biggs as an extremist.

• He's long been on the GOP's right wing and led the congressional House Freedom Caucus for several years.
• Biggs is endorsed by President Trump, to whom he's been a staunch supporter in Congress, and is heavily backed by the MAGA-aligned conservative group Turning Point Action.
• Some Republicans are concerned that he could cost the party a winnable race, much as right-wing firebrand Kari Lake did when Hobbs won the governor's office four years ago.

Yes, but: Biggs has more recently portrayed himself as a pragmatic conservative who knows how to reach across the aisle, playing up his work with Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and Kyrsten Sinema, who later became an independent.

• He often used a more practical approach to politics during his four years as Arizona Senate president.
• Biggs lacks Lake's combativeness and abrasive posture, and has sought to build bridges with groups that she antagonized, like supporters of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain.
• And despite big Democratic wins in recent years — the party controls the governor's, secretary of state's and attorney general's offices, and both U.S. Senate seats — Arizona is still a predominantly Republican state where the GOP has a substantial voter registration advantage.

Zoom in: Biggs defeated U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, a fiscal policy wonk elected in the 2010 Tea Party wave who spent his early years in the House battling Republican leadership.

What we're watching: For the first time in Arizona history, nominees will choose running mates who will serve as their lieutenant governor if elected.

• The nominees have until early September to make their choices.

What they're saying

Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely won the Republican primary in Arizona's coveted 1st Congressional District.

• The Democratic race remains too close to call, though Amish Shah was leading Marlene Galán-Woods by nearly 7 points as of this morning.

Why it matters: It's difficult to imagine either party winning control of the House without this seat.

The big picture: The highly competitive Scottsdale and north Phoenix-based district is up for grabs after longtime Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert's decision to run for governor.

State of play: More results are expected today. It's unclear how many ballots remain uncounted.

Catch up quick: Both national parties took the unusual step of backing candidates in their hotly contested primaries.

• The Democratic Congressional Committee Committee (DCCC) angered some members by not only endorsing Galán-Woods but spending money to help her defeat Shah.
• The National Republican Congressional Committee endorsed Feely, who also has President Trump's backing, over former state Rep. Joseph Chaplik.

Flashback: The Democratic primary is a rematch between the 2024 contest where Shah defeated Galán-Woods, but lost to Schweikert in the general election.

🗳️ Secretary of State (R): State Rep. Alexander Kolodin, an election denier backed by Turning Point Action, defeated former Arizona Republican Party chair Gina Swoboda.

⚖️ Attorney General (R): State Senate President Warren Petersen won in his race against attorney and perennial candidate Rodney Glassman.

🫏 CD4 (D): U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton easily fended off progressive challenger Kai Newkirk.

🐘 CD5 (R): Former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb won in this conservative district, despite recent reports of sexual impropriety.

The following races haven't yet been called. Results are as of 3am.

👀 Governor (No Labels): Teri Ann Hourihan leads the party-endorsed candidate Hugh Lytle.

🎒 Superintendent of Public Instruction (R): State Treasurer Kimberly Yee holds a 6-point lead over current Superintendent Tom Horne.

🏙️ Chandler Mayor: Council Member Matt Orlando leads state Rep. Jeff Weninger by more than 16 points.

🏙️ Gilbert Council: Every incumbent council member is losing.

🎒 The Goldwater Institute filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed ballot measure to impose new restrictions on Arizona's school voucher program, arguing that it didn't collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. (Arizona Mirror)

🚫 U.S. Rep. Abraham Hamadeh urged the Trump administration not to extradite "manosphere" influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate after they were charged with sex crimes in the United Kingdom. He called the charges "unclear and political." (Phoenix New Times)

🏈 LSU football cancelled a two-game, home-and-away series against the Sun Devils scheduled for 2028 and 2031. (Sports Illustrated)

📉 Valley chipmaker Intel announced layoffs in its data center group. It's unclear how many jobs this will affect in Arizona. (KJZZ)

I'm excited to introduce you to a new reporter who's going to expand Axios Phoenix's coverage in the East Valley.

State of play: Meet Gitanjali Poonia, who will helm our new, twice-weekly newsletters covering Mesa and Scottsdale — launch date TBA soon!

• I formally met Gitanjali yesterday when we met for lunch.
• She suggested the Dirty Drummer for their double-dipped wings — somehow I'd never been to this Valley institution, so it was a good call.

I had a great time getting to know Gitanjali, and I can't wait for you all to meet her as well.

• I'll let her tell you a little about herself.

Gitanjali here! I'm stoked to cover the exciting world that is the East Valley.

• Before joining Axios Local, I reported on Congress, Arizona politics and the American West for the Deseret News for half a decade.
• In my free time, I love trying out new workout classes and the buzziest restaurants in Scottsdale, where I live with my husband and chihuahua puppy named Truman.