Can Arizona Republicans Stop Feuding Long Enough to Win Back the State?

Key Points:

• Representative Andy Biggs, leading in Arizona's Republican primary for governor, presented himself as a bipartisan deal-maker rather than emphasizing his conservative credentials or efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• Biggs highlighted his ability to work with Democrats, including Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Mark Kelly, signaling a strategic shift in messaging to appeal to moderate voters.
• Arizona Republicans face challenges as the party has lost control of most statewide offices and U.S. Senate seats to Democrats, partly due to nominating divisive primary candidates who struggle in general elections.
• Biggs aims to moderate his public message without changing his core positions, advocating for unity and cooperation amid a political climate marked by culture-war rhetoric favored by some Trump allies.
• Moderate Arizona voters have consistently preferred Democrats over Republican candidates perceived as too extreme, such as Kari Lake and Blake Masters, influencing the GOP's approach in this election cycle.