Karrin Taylor Robson, Trump’s first pick for Arizona governor, suspends campaign

Business owner and lobbyist Karrin Taylor Robson suspended her campaign for governor Thursday, saying she wants Arizona Republicans to avoid a divisive primary race ahead of the party’s efforts to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

Taylor Robson, the first Republican to announce her intent to run in the 2026 race, began her campaign with some momentum — thanks to an early endorsement from President Donald Trump. She also boasted some statewide name recognition after her failed campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2022, which she lost to Kari Lake.

The value of Trump’s endorsement was muddled after Rep. Andy Biggs, one of Trump’s fiercest allies in Congress, announced his own candidacy for governor. Trump later endorsed Biggs, in addition to Taylor Robson, saying either candidate would be a good choice for Arizonans.

In a statement, Taylor Robson thanked her campaign’s supporters and volunteers, and said the decision was not made lightly. But months of intraparty attacks, she warned, “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,” she added.

Taylor Robson’s exit from the campaign leaves Arizona voters with two choices in the July primary: Biggs and Congressman David Schweikert.

Reactions

Both Biggs and Schweikert praised Taylor Robson.

“Karrin is a good conservative who cares deeply about both our state and the Republican Party,” Schweikert said in a statement to KJZZ. “She has played an important role in so many Republican victories through the years. I wish her all the best, and I look forward to working with her.”

Biggs expressed a similar sentiment and echoed Taylor Robson’s call to unite the party.

“I want to thank Karrin Taylor Robson for a well-run campaign and for her many contributions to keeping our state red,” Biggs said on social media. “Her experience as a businesswoman brought a valuable perspective to the race and her deep love for Arizona and its future has always been evident.”

Meanwhile, Hobbs’ campaign expressed confidence in her chances at re-election in the wake of Taylor Robson’s decision.

“Karrin Taylor Robson saw the writing on the wall and knows that Gov. Katie Hobbs is going to win re-election because of her bipartisan record of lowering costs, securing the border, and protecting health care,” Hobbs campaign manager Nicole DeMont said in a statement. “No matter who emerges from this chaotic primary, we will stay focused on building a winning coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who believe in putting Arizona first.”

Impact on the race 

Political consultant Chuck Coughlin said Taylor Robson’s announcement is good news for Biggs, a former leader of the House Freedom Caucus and a close Trump ally.

“Twenty percent of Republican voters turn out in a primary … a majority of those are MAGA voters, and he’s the MAGA candidate,” Coughlin said.

He said the impact on the general election is more complicated, though, calling it a “two-edged sword” for Hobbs’ campaign.

“You’d sort of want her in that primary race to pummel Biggs and to make that a competitive race and take some starch out of him,” Coughlin said. “But now she’s out, but it’s clear I think the Hobbs team wants to run against Mr. Biggs, because they see him as a weaker general election candidate.”

Coughlin suggested that Arizonans may not have seen the last of Taylor Robson in the governor’s campaign, though.

In her statement, she said, “While I am stepping back from this race, I am not stepping back from the fight for Arizona’s future. … I remain committed to helping Republicans win in 2026 and to ensuring Arizona remains strong, safe, and free for generations to come.”

Coughlin speculated Taylor Robson could still be a potential lieutenant governor candidate.

For the first time, Arizonans will elect a lieutenant governor in 2026 after voters approved the creation of the new position. The candidates that win each party’s primary will be responsible for selecting lieutenant governor candidates to join them on the ticket for the November general election.

“Does Mr. Biggs see value in adding her for electoral ability in a general election to his ticket and, perhaps, the resources she could bring to that ticket?” Coughlin said.

Taylor Robson was seen as a candidate favored by party moderates, while Biggs is solidly entrenched with the far-right Republican wing. She also has substantial financial resources and spent $22 million of her own money on her campaign in 2022 and ended 2025 with the most cash on hand of any GOP candidate.

Taylor Robson’s campaign did not respond to an interview request.