Gov. Katie Hobbs holds commanding lead in early returns

Key Points:

• Gov. Katie Hobbs is well ahead of Congressman Andy Biggs in the hotly contested Arizona governor’s race

• Biggs says he is not conceding, but acknowledged there was a “tough hill to climb”

• Hobbs had been targeted over the number of times she vetoed Republican legislation

The gubernatorial race between incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs and Congressman Andy Biggs remained officially undecided late Tuesday, but the early returns showed Hobbs with a commanding lead.

As of 10 p.m., Hobbs led with about 58% of the vote to Biggs’ 40%, with 68% of the votes counted.

If that lead holds, Arizonans will also have chosen former Mesa Mayor John Giles as the state’s first lieutenant governor. Giles, a Republican-turned-independent, joined Hobbs’ ticket in August after endorsing her 2022 bid for governor.

Hobbs’ path to reelection was widely viewed as uncertain at the start of the 2026 election cycle, owing to her difficulties working with a Republican-controlled Legislature and the pay-to-play allegations that came to light in her first term. But the governor’s massive campaign war chest, coupled with Democratic tailwinds nationwide, created momentum Biggs never matched. 

“The reality is, we’ve got a tough hill to climb,” Biggs told supporters Tuesday night. “We just didn’t get our turnout quite as full as we wanted to.”

Hobbs outraised and outspent Biggs in every quarter of the cycle, while also boasting significant support from the Democratic Governors Association. Meanwhile, the Republican Governors Association declined to wade into the contest, even though Biggs missed most of his primary election victory party to court the group’s support. 

Turning Point USA began pouring millions into the race in September, but some consultants argued it was too little, too late. Hobbs spent millions on advertising before Biggs even won the primary election, inundating the airwaves and social media from July 21 to Nov. 3. 

Biggs also struggled to answer for his record in Congress and the state Legislature. Questions about a 2013 bill targeting FLDS leader Warren Jeffs’ influence over a northern Arizona police department dogged the congressman, who was accused of killing the bill as Senate president. 

President Donald Trump’s negative approval rating also worked against Biggs, a staunch, longtime supporter of the president. Many of Hobbs’ campaign ads highlighted Biggs’ votes for the war in Iran, the One Big Beautiful Bill and against the release of the Epstein files. 

Hobbs told supporters early Tuesday night that final results would likely take time and urged patience. 

“We are feeling good about things we’re seeing across the country, and I know that we’re all excited to start seeing Arizona results coming in,” Hobbs said.