David Schweikert

In a statement ending her campaign, Robson cited the need to avoid “a divisive Republican primary that drains resources and turns into months of intraparty attacks.”

“With so much on the line in 2026, I am not willing to contribute to that outcome,” Robson said, without endorsing either Biggs or Schweikert.

She was considered a strong challenger to Hobbs, but her battle in the GOP primary faced obstacles. Biggs has repeatedly led the field in recent polls and has the backing of Turning Point USA, which has been positioning itself to be a conservative kingmaker in Arizona politics.

Robson, who ran for governor in 2022 and finished second in the Republican primary to Kari Lake, earned Trump’s support in December 2024, before she formally announced her candidacy. But her campaign hit a series of speed bumps shortly after her formal announcement in 2025, when several of the president’s allies — including Tony Fabrizio, Chris LaCivita and Chris Grant — ditched paid roles on her campaign.

In April, Trump offered a second endorsement in the race, this time to Biggs.

Schweikert entered the race several months later, but has consistently lagged in polling and fundraising behind Biggs and Robson. In many ways, the race was a proxy war for the long-standing feud in Arizona politics: Biggs, backed by the late Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, and Robson, the daughter of a former Arizona Senate president and a member of the state’s political establishment.

In a statement on X, Biggs thanked Robson for her “well-run campaign,” while touting his endorsement from the president.

“Our campaign is now the only campaign endorsed by President Trump and Charlie Kirk, as well as dozens of state legislators and leaders across Arizona,” Biggs said. “We intend to win and defeat Katie Hobbs in November, but the time for Republicans to unite behind our campaign is now.”

Hobbs’ campaign painted Robson’s exit as proof Democrats would hold the office.

“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 healthcare,” 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.”