Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs
Born	Andrew Steven Biggs 11/7/1958
Birthplace	Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Arizona's 5th congressional district; Chair of the House Freedom Caucus (2019–2022); President of the Arizona Senate (2013–2017)
Education	Brigham Young University (BA) University of Arizona (JD) Arizona State University (MA)
Children	6
Website	biggs.house.gov

Andrew Steven Biggs (born November 7, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 5th congressional district since 2017. A Republican, he spent years building his career in Arizona's state legislature before making the jump to Congress. He served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011, then moved to the Arizona Senate from 2011 to 2017, where he spent four years as president. In Washington, he's become a leading voice on the conservative right, chairing the Freedom Caucus from 2019 to 2022.

His district covers much of the East Valley around Phoenix, taking in parts of Mesa, most of Chandler, all of Queen Creek, and his hometown of Gilbert. It's no ordinary seat. Previous occupants like John McCain and Jeff Flake later became U.S. Senators.

In February 2026, Biggs announced his run for Governor of Arizona in the 2026 election, stepping away from his House reelection bid.

Early Life

Andrew Steven Biggs was born on November 7, 1958, in Tucson, Arizona. He grew up in Arizona and eventually moved to Gilbert, an East Valley suburb of Phoenix. That's the area he'd later represent at both the state and federal levels. Throughout his adult life, he's been connected with conservative and religious community organizations around Gilbert.

Education

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University. After that came a Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He's also got a Master of Arts from Arizona State University in Phoenix. That legal background would set him up for a career spanning both law and public service.

Career

Arizona House of Representatives (2003–2011)

His career in elected office began when he won a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives representing the 22nd district. He took office on January 6, 2003, alongside fellow Republicans Eddie Farnsworth and Laurin Hendrix. During his time in the state House, he pushed hard for fiscal conservatism and limited government. Those would become his defining political positions. He completed four terms before moving to the Arizona Senate in 2011.

Arizona Senate (2011–2017)

In 2011, Biggs moved to the Arizona Senate. He initially represented the 22nd district and succeeded Thayer Verschoor. Redistricting changed things. Beginning in 2013, he represented the 12th district. That same year, he was elected President of the Arizona Senate, taking over from Steve Pierce. He held that job from January 14, 2013, until January 3, 2017, when Steve Yarbrough took the reins. As Senate president, he presided over the chamber during significant policy debates at the state level. Warren Petersen replaced him in his Senate seat.

U.S. House of Representatives (2017–present)

Election and early tenure

In 2016, Biggs was elected to the U.S. House, taking Arizona's 5th congressional district seat from fellow Republican Matt Salmon. He took office on January 3, 2017. The East Valley district is reliably Republican and hasn't changed hands much. McCain and Flake both represented it before moving to the Senate.

Freedom Caucus chairmanship

On October 1, 2019, Biggs became chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, replacing Mark Meadows, who left to become White House Chief of Staff under President Donald Trump. The Freedom Caucus is an influential bloc of conservative House Republicans who've consistently pushed party leadership toward more fiscally and socially conservative positions. Biggs held the chairmanship until January 1, 2022, when Scott Perry took over.

As chairman, he was one of the most vocal conservatives in the House. He staked out positions on the right flank across a range of issues: immigration, government spending, executive branch oversight. You name it, he had a conservative take on it.

Mueller investigation and Department of Justice oversight

Biggs was a fierce critic of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. In 2018, he renewed calls for Mueller to step down, claiming the investigation was compromised. He was one of only three House Republicans who publicly demanded Mueller's resignation, portraying the special counsel as compromised.

That July, he joined fellow Arizona Republican Paul Gosar in calling for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's impeachment. They accused Rosenstein of obstructing congressional oversight of the Department of Justice. His positions placed him among the most aggressive critics of the Mueller probe on Capitol Hill. When the Mueller report finally dropped, he stood by what he'd been saying all along.

Climate and energy policy

He's skeptical of mainstream climate science and has consistently opposed federal climate regulations. The House Science, Space and Technology Committee brought him on as one of several climate-skeptical members. At a town hall, he compared himself to Albert Einstein for challenging scientific consensus on climate change. His constituents booed him for it.

He's introduced bills to cut federal climate research funding. In 2017, he publicly urged President Trump to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. His stance has put him at odds with some in his own party who want to develop Republican-led climate proposals. In 2020, Politico reported on the internal GOP fight over climate policy, with Biggs representing the faction most resistant to any federal climate action, in contrast with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's push for a Republican environmental agenda.

He's also connected to groups opposing renewable energy expansion, including efforts with Americans for Prosperity against wind energy.

Net neutrality and telecommunications

In the net neutrality debate, Biggs was among those receiving campaign contributions from ISPs and telecom companies. The Verge reported in 2017 on how much members of Congress opposed to FCC net neutrality rules were getting from the industry.

Right to Try and healthcare legislation

He was involved in efforts around Right to Try legislation. This aimed to let terminally ill patients try experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA. Politico covered the congressional push in 2018, with Biggs pushing for its passage.

Fiscal conservatism and limited government

Biggs consistently ranks among Congress's most fiscally conservative members. In 2018, the Club for Growth gave him the highest score of any House member. It's a conservative group pushing for lower taxes and less government spending.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he expressed concerns about certain bipartisan proposals. In March 2020, The Intercept reported on his pushback against parts of the coronavirus stimulus bill, citing worries about government spending and the scope of federal intervention.

Pro-life advocacy

He's been a vocal advocate for anti-abortion legislation. He called for changes to Senate rules that he said were blocking the GOP's pro-life agenda, frustrated with procedural hurdles preventing passage of abortion restrictions.

Recent legislative activity

In the 119th Congress, he's continued pushing conservative priorities. His Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment, or CSAFE Act, targets child exploitation and passed the House unanimously.

He backed H.R. 1, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which covered a broad set of President Trump's domestic priorities. He issued a statement praising the House passage.

In February 2026, he praised President Trump's declaration of February 23 as Angel Families Day, honoring families hurt by crimes from undocumented immigrants. He also previewed Trump's State of the Union address, highlighting what the administration had done.

2026 Arizona gubernatorial campaign

Biggs announced in 2026 that he wouldn't seek another House term. Instead, he'd run for Governor of Arizona. Both he and fellow Republican Karrin Taylor Robson got Trump endorsements. When Robson dropped out, the GOP primary came down to Biggs and fellow Congressman David Schweikert, giving Arizona Republicans a choice between two sitting members of Congress.

Early polls suggested a competitive general election. A Newsweek report on polling showed Biggs trailing incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in a hypothetical matchup. The New York Times noted that Hobbs was among five Democratic governors in states Trump won in 2024. She'd been elected in 2022 by a narrow margin. The Republican primary is set for July 21, 2026.

Personal Life

He lives in Gilbert, Arizona, right in the congressional district he represents. He has six children. Biggs has ties to conservative religious organizations in Gilbert. Phoenix New Times reported on his connections to a local religious group designated as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Recognition

Conservative organizations have recognized him for his voting record. In 2018, he was the only House member to get the top Club for Growth scorecard score, reflecting his consistent support for limited government and reduced federal spending.

His 2019 election as Freedom Caucus chairman, following Meadows, reflected his standing among the House's most conservative Republicans. His years as Arizona Senate president from 2013 to 2017 also represented significant leadership at the state level.