IN FOCUS - Feb. 13, 2026

The Republican field opposing Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs shrank this week as Arizona businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson bowed out of the race.

With an announcement, Taylor Robson cited her desire to avoid “a divisive Republican primary that drains resources and turns into months of intraparty attacks.” Her departure leaves President Trump-endorsed Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert) as the prohibitive favorite in the GOP Primary, though Congressman David Schweikert (R-Scottdale) also continues to seek the Republican nomination.

Taylor Robson’s exit may reduce the likelihood of a protracted Primary fight that batters the eventual GOP nominee. But, the incumbent Governor Hobbs maintains significant advantages in her bid for re-election. Namely, Governor Hobbs:

• Is sitting on a war chest of nearly $6.2 million, as compared with Reps. Biggs ($783,000) and Schweikert ($279,000); and

• Boasts an 18-point net approval rating from Arizona voters, as of this month.

Perhaps most significantly, President Trump’s approval numbers are flagging. His popularity is 16 points underwater in the latest New York Times tracker; even worse, just 36% of respondents said they approve of the President’s performance in an AP-NORC Center survey released today. Unless he rebounds between now and Election Day, those figures will complicate matters for Arizona Republicans running statewide and in swing districts.