Over a year before voters will receive their 2026 primary ballots, two high-profile Republicans running for Arizona governor have released dueling ads attempting to capitalize on President Donald Trump’s popularity with the GOP base.
Businesswoman and lobbyist Karrin Taylor Robson’s campaign is billing her as the Trump-endorsed candidate.
That’s because Trump voiced support for Taylor Robson at a campaign two months before she officially entered the race.
“She’s, I hear, running for governor. Are you running for governor? I think so, Karrin, because if you do, you’re going to have my support,” Trump said in December.
The Taylor Robson campaign included that in its first advertisement after she entered the race in February.
But Congressman Andy Biggs, who officially launched his campaign in January, released his own ad touting his ties to the president. Biggs, a former leader of the far-right freedom caucus, has been one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress.
The ad features audio of Trump speaking glowingly about Biggs.
“This guy is special, and he’s my friend. And he’s tough,” Trump said. “He wants the people of your state to be successful. He wants our country to be successful.”
Republican consultant Sean Noble, who is working with the Biggs campaign, said he doesn’t consider Trump’s December comments backing Taylor Robson an official endorsement.
“I think, as anyone who has watched the last number of years with President Trump knows, nothing is official until he posts it on Truth Social in writing,” Noble said, referencing the Trump-owned social media site.
Noble said he believes Trump will become more engaged in Arizona’s gubernatorial race in the coming months.
He said it's possible Trump will issue a double endorsement — like he did in an Arizona congressional race last year — but that he wouldn’t be surprised if the president backs Biggs outright before the primary election in August 2026.
The Taylor Robson campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
