GOP Ad War Heats Up in Critical Battleground State Primary: "We've Barely Just Begun"

The race for Republican governor in Arizona is already heating up, with over a year remaining before the 2026 primary election. The campaign advertising battle began this week as Turning Point PAC announced a significant $500,000 media buy to bolster Rep. Andy Biggs's candidacy. The campaign’s ads are set to reach Arizona voters through an array of channels, including prominent cable slots, conservative talk radio, streaming services, and targeted digital platforms. This expansive ad blitz is scheduled to run for three and a half weeks, aiming to cement Biggs’s visibility well ahead of the crowded GOP field.

Turning Point Action’s Chief Operating Officer, Tyler Bowyer, described Biggs as "the best Senate President Arizona has had in decades," emphasizing his close ties to high-profile Republican figures. Bowyer highlighted that Biggs enjoys endorsements from both former President Donald Trump and Turning Point’s own founder Charlie Kirk, which they hope will translate into strong grassroots momentum. According to Bowyer, the ad campaign coupled with Biggs’s earned media reflects surging enthusiasm among rank-and-file Republicans eager for new leadership in the statehouse.

The early show of support was further demonstrated at a recent Phoenix-area rally, where organizers claimed thousands of Biggs supporters gathered. Charlie Kirk, noting the turnout, called it "historic" and evidence of a groundswell that could propel Biggs to a commanding lead in the polls. "There isn’t a world in which voters will not be aware of Andy Biggs being on the ballot," Kirk asserted, expressing confidence that increased exposure will only expand Biggs’s reputed double-digit advantage over his rivals.

The primary contest, however, is already shaping up to be a highly competitive showdown. Biggs faces Karrin Taylor Robson, a business leader and former Board of Regents member who ran for the nomination in 2022. Taylor Robson’s campaign has reportedly matched the early intensity, with allies signaling that her team is investing heavily in voter outreach "across all platforms." She recently rolled out a "multi-million dollar" ad campaign touting Trump’s endorsement and has framed herself as the candidate best positioned to deliver "America and Arizona First" policies.

“I'm proud and honored that President Trump has reaffirmed his endorsement of our campaign,” Taylor Robson declared, promising to work alongside Trump to address border security, economic growth, and public safety. Her team interpreted Turning Point’s early spending as a clear sign that the race is wide open and will attract national attention in the months to come.

Notably, former President Trump himself weighed in on social media, offering his "complete and total endorsement" to both Biggs and Taylor Robson, calling them “two fantastic candidates, two wonderful champions.” Trump’s unusual dual endorsement underscores the unpredictable nature of the primary and the central role Arizona is expected to play in the broader national political landscape.

This early advertising offensive is indicative of the stakes and strategic importance of the Arizona gubernatorial race. As one of the nation’s most contested swing states, Arizona is under intense scrutiny following a recent sweep by Trump in the state’s presidential vote. Political analysts are already rating the governor’s race as a toss-up, reflecting the uncertainty and significance of every campaign maneuver. With both candidates revving up their operations and outside groups joining the fray, Arizona voters can expect a barrage of messaging well before they head to the polls next August.