Election Desk — Arizona
Arizona voters will choose their next governor on November 3, 2026, with party primaries scheduled for August 4, 2026. The race will decide who succeeds the current term ending January 4, 2027, and it will make history as the first gubernatorial election with a lieutenant governor running on a joint ticket, following voter approval of Proposition 131.
With Arizona remaining one of the nation’s most closely divided swing states, the contest is already drawing national attention.
Democratic Field
Katie Hobbs (D)
The incumbent governor, elected in 2022 after a narrow victory, is running for a second term. Hobbs entered office in January 2023 and faces minimal opposition in the Democratic primary. Party leaders widely expect her to secure renomination without difficulty.
A small number of lesser-known Democrats have filed statements of interest, but none are considered serious challengers at this stage.
Republican Primary: A Crowded and Competitive Fight
The Republican primary is shaping up as one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 cycle, with multiple high-profile candidates and competing factions within the GOP.
Andy Biggs
A U.S. Representative from Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, Biggs is closely aligned with former President Donald Trump and the conservative Freedom Caucus. He currently leads early polling and has received a Trump endorsement, positioning himself as the frontrunner among grassroots conservatives.
Karrin Taylor Robson
A business executive and former Arizona Board of Regents member, Taylor Robson was the GOP runner-up in the 2022 gubernatorial primary. She also holds a Trump endorsement and is appealing to business-oriented and establishment Republicans seeking a different style of leadership.
David Schweikert
A longtime U.S. Representative from Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, Schweikert entered the race in late 2025 and opted not to seek reelection to Congress. He is positioning himself as a more traditional conservative with a focus on fiscal and economic policy.
Several other Republicans—including Scott Neely and Donald Mucheck—have filed paperwork or statements of interest, but current analysis suggests the primary will come down to these three candidates.
Notably absent:
Kari Lake, the 2022 GOP nominee, is not running for governor in 2026.
Independents and Third-Party Candidates
Leezah Sun (Independent)
A former Democratic state representative, Sun is running as an independent in the general election.
Several Green Party and Libertarian candidates have also filed statements of interest. While these campaigns rarely win statewide races, they could play a role in a tight general election by drawing votes at the margins.
Why This Race Matters
Arizona remains a true purple state. While Republicans carried the state at the presidential level in 2024, Democrats have held the governor’s office and other key statewide posts. The 2026 race will test:
- The durability of Democratic gains at the state level
- The influence of Donald Trump within Arizona GOP primaries
- Whether a divided Republican field strengthens or weakens the party’s general election chances
Early general election polling suggests a competitive matchup, regardless of which Republican emerges from the primary.
What Comes Next
The candidate filing deadline is expected in spring 2026, meaning additional contenders could still enter the race. Primary debates, fundraising reports, and further polling over the next several months will clarify the trajectory of both parties.
For now, Arizona is shaping up to host one of the most consequential gubernatorial races in the country in 2026.
Election Desk 
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