Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs
Born	Andrew Steven Biggs 7 11, 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 Official site]

Andrew Steven Biggs (born November 7, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 5th congressional district since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Biggs built a lengthy career in Arizona state politics before entering the national stage, serving in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011 and the Arizona Senate from 2011 to 2017, including four years as president of the Arizona Senate. In the U.S. House, he became a prominent figure on the political right, chairing the Freedom Caucus from 2019 to 2022. The district he represents encompasses much of the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, including parts of Mesa, most of Chandler, all of Queen Creek, and Biggs's hometown of Gilbert. The seat was previously held by figures who later became U.S. Senators, including John McCain and Jeff Flake. In February 2026, Biggs announced his candidacy for Governor of Arizona in the 2026 election cycle, forgoing a reelection bid to the U.S. House.

Early Life

Andrew Steven Biggs was born on November 7, 1958, in Tucson, Arizona. He grew up in Arizona and later settled in Gilbert, a suburb in the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, which he would go on to represent at both the state and federal levels. Biggs has been associated with conservative and religious community organizations in the Gilbert area throughout his adult life.

Education

Biggs earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University. He subsequently obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from Arizona State University in Phoenix. His legal training provided the foundation for a career that would span both law and public service.

Career

Arizona House of Representatives (2003–2011)

Biggs began his career in elected office when he won a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives, representing the 22nd district. He took office on January 6, 2003, and served alongside fellow Republicans Eddie Farnsworth and Laurin Hendrix. During his tenure in the state House, Biggs focused on fiscal conservatism and limited government, positions that would define his political career. He served four terms in the House before transitioning to the Arizona Senate in 2011.

Arizona Senate (2011–2017)

In January 2011, Biggs moved to the Arizona Senate, initially representing the 22nd district and succeeding Thayer Verschoor. Following redistricting, he represented the 12th district beginning in 2013. That same year, Biggs was elected President of the Arizona Senate, succeeding Steve Pierce. He held the position of Senate president from January 14, 2013, until January 3, 2017, when he was succeeded by Steve Yarbrough. As Senate president, Biggs presided over the upper chamber of the Arizona legislature during a period of significant policy debates at the state level. His successor in the Senate seat was Warren Petersen.

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

Election and early tenure

Biggs was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016, succeeding fellow Republican Matt Salmon as the representative for Arizona's 5th congressional district. He took office on January 3, 2017. The district, located in the East Valley, is considered a reliably Republican seat and had previously been represented by politicians who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate, including John McCain and Jeff Flake.

Freedom Caucus chairmanship

On October 1, 2019, Biggs assumed the chairmanship of the House Freedom Caucus, succeeding Mark Meadows, who would later leave the position to serve as White House Chief of Staff under President Donald Trump. The Freedom Caucus is an influential group of conservative Republican members of Congress that has frequently pushed the party's leadership toward more fiscally and socially conservative positions. Biggs served as chairman until January 1, 2022, when he was succeeded by Scott Perry.

During his time as chairman, Biggs was among the most vocal conservative members of the House, frequently staking out positions on the right flank of the Republican conference on issues ranging from immigration and government spending to executive branch oversight.

Mueller investigation and Department of Justice oversight

Biggs was a prominent critic of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. In 2018, he renewed his call for Mueller to resign, arguing that the investigation was compromised. Biggs was one of three House Republicans who publicly called for Mueller to step down, characterizing the special counsel as compromised and demanding an end to the investigation.

In July 2018, Biggs joined fellow Arizona Republican Representative Paul Gosar in calling for the impeachment of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, whom they accused of obstructing congressional oversight of the Department of Justice. These actions placed Biggs among the most aggressive congressional critics of the Mueller probe. Following the release of the Mueller report, Biggs maintained that his opposition to the investigation had been consistent throughout.

Climate and energy policy

Biggs has been a vocal skeptic of mainstream climate science and has consistently opposed federal climate change regulations. He was identified as one of several climate-change-denying members added to the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. At a town hall event, Biggs compared himself to Albert Einstein in the context of challenging scientific consensus on climate change, a remark that drew boos from constituents in attendance.

Biggs introduced legislative measures aimed at defunding federal climate research programs. In 2017, he publicly urged President Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. His positions on climate and energy policy have placed him at odds with some members of his own party who have sought to develop Republican-led climate proposals. In 2020, Politico reported on the internal party dynamics around climate policy, with Biggs representing the faction most resistant to any federal climate action, contrasting with efforts by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to craft a Republican environmental agenda.

Biggs has also been linked to organizations opposing renewable energy expansion, including participation in efforts aligned with Americans for Prosperity in opposing wind energy development.

Net neutrality and telecommunications

In the debate over net neutrality regulations, Biggs was among the members of Congress who received campaign contributions from internet service providers and telecommunications companies. The Verge reported in 2017 on the financial connections between ISPs and congressional members who opposed the FCC's net neutrality rules.

Right to Try and healthcare legislation

Biggs was involved in congressional efforts related to Right to Try legislation, which sought to allow terminally ill patients access to experimental treatments that had not yet received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Politico covered the congressional dynamics around the bill in 2018, with Biggs among those advocating for its passage.

Fiscal conservatism and limited government

Biggs has consistently ranked among the most fiscally conservative members of Congress. In 2018, he received the top score among all House members from the Club for Growth, a conservative organization that advocates for lower taxes and reduced government spending.

Biggs also expressed opposition to certain bipartisan legislative proposals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, The Intercept reported on his resistance to elements of the coronavirus stimulus bill, as he raised concerns about government spending and the scope of federal intervention.

Pro-life advocacy

Biggs has been a vocal advocate for anti-abortion legislation. He called for changes to Senate rules that he argued were hindering the Republican Party's pro-life agenda, expressing frustration with procedural obstacles that prevented the passage of legislation restricting abortion.

Recent legislative activity

In the 119th Congress, Biggs continued to advance conservative legislative priorities. His Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act, aimed at combating the exploitation of children, was adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives.

Biggs supported the passage of H.R. 1, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which encompassed a broad set of President Trump's domestic policy priorities. He issued a statement commending the House's passage of the legislation.

In February 2026, Biggs commended President Trump's designation of February 23 as Angel Families Day, honoring families affected by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. He also previewed President Trump's State of the Union address, highlighting the administration's accomplishments.

2026 Arizona gubernatorial campaign

In 2026, Biggs announced that he would not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives and would instead run for Governor of Arizona. Both Biggs and fellow Republican candidate Karrin Taylor Robson received endorsements from President Donald Trump. Following Robson's exit from the race, the Republican primary narrowed to Biggs and fellow Arizona Congressman David Schweikert, offering Republican voters a choice between two sitting members of Congress.

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

Personal Life

Biggs resides in Gilbert, Arizona, which is located within the boundaries of the congressional district he represents. He has six children. Biggs has been connected to conservative religious organizations in the Gilbert area. The Phoenix New Times reported on his ties to a Gilbert-based religious group that was designated as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Recognition

Biggs has received recognition from conservative organizations for his voting record. In 2018, he was the sole member of the U.S. House of Representatives to receive the top score on the Club for Growth scorecard, reflecting his consistent support for limited government and reduced federal spending.

His election as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus in 2019, succeeding Mark Meadows, reflected his standing among the most conservative members of the Republican conference in the House. His tenure as president of the Arizona Senate from 2013 to 2017 also represented a significant leadership role in state-level politics.