The 2026 Arizona gubernatorial election gained another candidate, this one receiving the backing of President Donald Trump.
Republican Karrin Taylor Robson announced the launch of her bid for the governor’s mansion on Wednesday, joining Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) in the field of candidates in the Republican Party’s primary. Robson previously ran in the primary for Arizona’s 2022 gubernatorial election but lost to candidate Kari Lake, who lost to then-Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs.
“I’m in,” Robson wrote on X. “I am running for Governor so we can defeat radical Katie Hobbs, support President @realDonaldTrump, lock down the border, and create jobs for Arizona.”
I’m in.
— Karrin Taylor Robson for AZ Gov (@KTaylorRobson) February 12, 2025
I am running for Governor so we can defeat radical Katie Hobbs, support President @realDonaldTrump, lock down the border, and create jobs for Arizona.
President Trump has endorsed me, and I hope you will join him and support our campaign today: https://t.co/FIEfx82FIk pic.twitter.com/072jCm3S0m
Trump endorsed Robson in December 2024 when the president-elect was speaking at Turning Point USA’s AmFest 2024 event, during which he called out Robson and asked, “are you running for governor?” He then added that if she did run for governor, “you’re going to have my support.”
President @realDonaldTrump is a president for all Americans.
— Karrin Taylor Robson for AZ Gov (@KTaylorRobson) December 22, 2024
I am beyond honored to have his support. Thank you Mr. President for everything you do for our country and for the great State of Arizona. pic.twitter.com/PTFcIoVXAj
Following her loss in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary, Robson turned down the possibility of running in the 2024 Arizona Senate election, in which former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) chose not to seek reelection. This seat was won by then-Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who bested Lake in the election.
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Last month, Biggs announced that he would be running for the Arizona governor’s mansion, saying it is “now time to Make Arizona Great Again,” a play on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. Biggs, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, was reelected in November to Arizona’s 5th District, winning by over 20%.
Hobbs, the incumbent governor, won her 2022 election by a narrow margin with under 1% of the vote.