Karrin Taylor Robson Suspends 2026 Arizona Governor Campaign Following Trump’s Dual Endorsement
PHOENIX — Karrin Taylor Robson, a prominent Arizona businesswoman and Republican candidate, has announced the suspension of her campaign for governor in the 2026 election. The decision, made public on Thursday, February 12, significantly reshapes the GOP primary field as the party prepares to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.
Taylor Robson’s departure from the race comes months after former President Donald Trump complicated the primary dynamics by issuing a dual endorsement. Trump had initially endorsed Taylor Robson in December 2024, giving her campaign early momentum. However, in April 2025, he expanded his support to include U.S. Representative Andy Biggs, a move that effectively neutralized Taylor Robson’s advantage as the sole Trump-backed candidate.
In a statement released on social media, Taylor Robson cited the need to unify the party and avoid a costly internal battle as the primary reasons for her withdrawal.
“We cannot afford a divisive Republican primary that drains resources and turns into months of intraparty attacks,” Taylor Robson stated. “It only 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 described the decision as the result of “deep reflection, prayer, and many conversations with my family,” while affirming her commitment to supporting the eventual Republican nominee. “While I am stepping back from this race, I am not stepping back from the fight for Arizona’s future,” she added.
This was Taylor Robson’s second bid for the governorship. She previously ran in the 2022 election, where she lost a contentious primary to Kari Lake, who went on to lose the general election to Katie Hobbs. During the 2022 cycle, Taylor Robson was viewed as the establishment alternative to Lake, garnering endorsements from figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence and former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.
Her exit leaves the 2026 Republican primary as a contest primarily between two sitting members of Congress: Rep. Andy Biggs and Rep. David Schweikert. Biggs, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, is widely seen as representing the party’s right flank, while Schweikert is expected to appeal to more traditional fiscal conservatives.
Political analysts suggest that Taylor Robson’s withdrawal likely benefits Biggs, who shares the Trump endorsement that Taylor Robson had hoped to leverage. The dual endorsement scenario had created an unusual political environment, forcing both candidates to vie for the same base of support without a clear preference from the former president.
Governor Katie Hobbs, who is seeking reelection, has not yet commented on the shift in the Republican field. The general election is expected to be highly competitive, with Arizona remaining a critical battleground state on the national map.
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