Wasting little time, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs wants to establish a presence in Maricopa as he tries to sell himself as the strongest candidate for Arizona’s next governor. 

The Republican congressman who vies to unseat the Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs next year pitched his campaign to the Maricopa Republican Club this morning at Calvary Church on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. This marks the first time since 2020 a major political candidate made a campaign stop in the city.  

“I think Arizona needs a strong governor as we move … back at least somewhat toward a federalist system,” he said in Maricopa today. “That’s what I hope to bring to the table.” 

Approaching the end of his third term in the House of Representatives, Biggs represents Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District, which comprises most of Gilbert and Queen Creek, parts of Chandler and a sliver of Mesa. 

He’s one of a laundry list of Republicans competing for the office that has been held by a Democrat just since 2023. So far, his only serious opponent seems to be President Donald J. Trump-endorsed Mesa resident Karrin Taylor Robson. 

However, club President Marty Hermanson prefers Biggs to Robson, who lost to Trump’s media adviser Kari Lake in a 2022 gubernatorial primary challenge. Biggs, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, also has Trump’s and Arizona-based Turning Point USA’s endorsements. 

“He is very on top of the bills, he is really fighting for the citizens of not only Arizona, but of the United States of America,” Hermanson said of Biggs in an interview with InMaricopa. “His experience in the state House and Senate, and as congressman, I think, makes him the most qualified. He almost has a perfect resume.” 

Jeff Northrup was less convinced.  

The notorious Maricopa Meadows resident protested alone at a northern entrance to the Stagestop Marketplace parking lot. He displayed his signature handwritten, neon-colored signs and paper-mâché Trump figurine.  

Biggs has “got a brain on him … I respect his brain, but I don’t respect the fact that he’s in the Trump cult,” Northrup said as he held a sign reading, “Andy Biggs J6 promoter.” 

But the crowd of 60 people inside the church were enthusiastic over Biggs’s appearance in Maricopa, connecting over the key issues upon which he focused his stumping: the southern border, budget, educational choices, election integrity and struggling to maintain Arizona’s GOP safe haven. 

“I learned the Left never sleeps,” Biggs told the crowd. “That’s why I’m sad to say we can’t either. We love our country. We love our state. We cannot sleep on it. We have got to be vigilant, working constantly … We don’t want to lose our freedom.”