Arizona Latter-day Saints Split Over Governor Race
Mormon voters in Arizona are divided between gubernatorial candidates Andy Biggs and Katie Hobbs.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
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Latter-day Saint voters in Arizona are split in their support for the current gubernatorial campaigns of Republican nominee Andy Biggs and incumbent Governor Katie Hobbs. This divide reflects varying priorities among the 442,000 members of the faith residing in the state.
Why it matters
The religious community, representing 6% of the state population, is weighing candidates based on competing priorities such as traditional family values, personal candidate conduct, and legislative stances on parental rights.
There are 442,000 Latter-day Saints in Arizona, accounting for 6% of the state's population. In the 2022 governor election, incumbent Katie Hobbs secured her seat with a narrow victory margin of approximately 17,000 votes.
The players
Andy Biggs
He is the Republican nominee for governor in Arizona.
Katie Hobbs
She is the incumbent Democratic governor of Arizona.
John Giles
He is the current Mayor of Mesa and the running mate for Katie Hobbs.
The details
Voters are evaluating the candidates through different lenses, with some prioritizing the protection of the family unit while others focus on candidate integrity and previous legislative actions, such as the 2020 election certification. The inclusion of Mesa Mayor John Giles on the Hobbs ticket has also influenced some voting decisions within the faith community.
Timeline
Andy Biggs voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election.
Katie Hobbs won the Arizona gubernatorial election in 2022.
Arizona voters passed a ballot measure protecting abortion access in 2024.
Church census data counted 442,000 Latter-day Saints in Arizona in 2025.
Culture Shift
The political landscape for Latter-day Saints in Arizona is evolving as voters navigate the implications of the 2024 Arizona abortion access ballot measure. This shift reflects a move away from monolithic voting patterns as members prioritize individual moral and policy concerns over traditional party alignments.
Voters are forced to reconcile their religious values with the starkly different policy platforms presented by the gubernatorial candidates. This political division may influence personal outreach and community discussions as the state approaches the election date.
The takeaway
The split within Arizona's Latter-day Saint population highlights how nuanced moral and policy debates are reshaping voter behavior. Residents may find that individual candidate character and specific legislative history weigh more heavily than historical party loyalty in this election cycle.
Further reading
For more background on the faith's role in local politics, see the Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC News.
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