By Salma El-Sakka
Democrat Katie Hobbs has won re-election as governor of Arizona, NBC News projects, defeating Republican Rep. Andy Biggs in a key battleground state.
Campaign contrasts
Hobbs, who previously served as secretary of state, ran as a moderate in a state Donald Trump won by 5 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. She emphasized border security, tax cuts, and chose former Republican John Giles as her running mate.
Hobbs highlighted differences from Trump policies, including opposition to the Iran war and tariffs, and enacted a three-year pause on tax incentives for data centers. Her campaign touted more than 900 bipartisan bills signed during her first term.
Biggs attacks veto record
Biggs, a former chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, attacked Hobbs' record number of vetoes and refusal to debate, calling it "political theater." He pledged to work with the legislature rather than against it.
Hobbs hammered Biggs for supporting Trump's tariffs, voting against resolutions to end the Iran war, and refusing to acknowledge Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election. In 2022, Hobbs defeated Trump ally Kari Lake by about 17,000 votes.
Election denial debate
Both candidates clashed over election denial. Hobbs accused Biggs of refusing to accept her 2022 victory and Trump's 2020 loss. Biggs said he would accept the 2026 outcome, citing improved election security.
Trump initially backed businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson, then endorsed Biggs after she dropped out, giving him his "complete and total endorsement."
