The Case For Biggs – David Stringer, Publisher

Photo: Andy Biggs

[Editor’s Note:  By tradition, Prescott eNews does not endorse candidates. This article by our Publisher, David Stringer, is not an endorsement of Andy Biggs. It is a discussion of his prospects for winning the Governorship and what that might mean for Yavapai County and the state.]

Judging by the results of the July primary, Yavapai County Republicans are ‘all in’ for Andy Biggs. Statewide, Congressman Biggs won the Republican nomination for Governor over fellow Congressman David Schweikert–his only serious  competition– by 74%  to 14%.  Here in Yavapai County the result was even more lopsided— 79% to 11%.

Statewide, Republicans hold a significant registration advantage over Democrats — 35.3% to 28.11% with 34.6% of registered voters identifying as Independent. In Yavapai County the Republican advantage is massively greater: 89,000 active Republican voters compared to 30,000 Democrats with 50,000 identifying as Independent.

For Republican candidates, a longtime truism in state elections is that a realistic chance of winning requires a strong Republican turn out in the rural areas of the state.  As the demographics of Arizona shift to more minority and non-White voters,  it is not enough for Republicans to just ‘win’ the rural, White counties—they have to WIN BIG.

The Republican vote in rural Arizona is not big enough by itself to assure a statewide victory.  But for Republican candidates in statewide races, there is no victory without the rural counties. Judging from his share of the primary vote, there is little doubt the enthusiasm for Biggs among Yavapai County Republicans will carry over to November. It’s worth noting that similar enthusiasm for Biggs is evident in neighboring Mohave County where he won 78% to 11%  and the two other Colorado River counties of La Paz and Yuma where he won 71% to 9% and 74% to 14% respectively. This compares to an overall statewide margin of 74% to 14%.  [Editor’s Note: The numbers do not add to 100% because of minor candidates and a small undervote, i.e. voters who did not select a candidate] 

The most recent RealClearPolitics polling average shows Hobbs ahead by 7.3 points. Republican strategist Tony Fabrizio, a former pollster for Donald Trump, has published a July 28^th poll showing Hobbs with 52% of likely voters to Biggs with 44%–an eight point spread.   But the two and a half months until November is an eternity in politics. If Biggs can find the right message, there is still plenty of time for Independents to engage and return to their historic pattern of favoring Republicans.

If Biggs wins in November, he will owe his victory in large part to the Republican turn out in rural, White Arizona. Some readers might find it jarring to see Whites singled out as a voting block. But politicians and the media routinely make reference to the interests of Hispanic voters, Black voters, Native American and Asian voters. Yavapai County voters are 90% White. This article makes no apology for asking: “What does a Biggs’ governorship offer us here in Yavapai County?”

School Choice

By far the most transformative gift of Republican leadership to  Arizona and beyond is school choice. Arizona is a national leader in education freedom. Our state’s expansive charter school program and universal ESA’s have given families with children the tools to tailor the education of every student to their specific needs and talents. School choice has liberated families from the one size fits all, government run school system rife with progressive social values and academic underperformance. Nothing else compares in importance for our culture and economic  well being than the training of our future workforce and instilling respect for our heritage and traditional family values.

Andy Biggs has been a school choice advocate his entire political career.  As a State Senator and later as President of the State Senate, Biggs participated in the early development of Arizona’s school choice program.  As a Congressman, he supported President Trump’s decision to abolish the Department of Education and return education policy to the states. Yavapai County Republicans understand the importance of school choice to Arizona’s future. In a Biggs administration, our hard won gains will be in safe hands.

Eliminating State Income Taxes

Our last Republican Governor, Doug Ducey, campaigned on the promise to reduce the state income tax to ‘as close to zero as possible.’  It took two terms, but he finally delivered with a 2.5% flat tax—the lowest effective income tax rate in the nation. Not only is it working, the economic growth it has stimulated has actually increased state revenues overall.

Congressman Biggs has promised to finish the job by completely eliminating the state income tax. Currently, nine states do not have an income tax—Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, Nevada,  Texas, Tennessee, Florida, South Dakota, and New Hampshire. Until 1979,  Arizona was among the lucky states that didn’t tax the wages and income of its residents.

If Biggs is successful, Arizona will be the first state to have adopted an income tax and then decided to eliminate it. Research has shown that states without an income tax enjoy faster economic growth and lower unemployment rates than states with an income tax. Not taxing income is a magnet to new businesses, entrepreneurs and retirees.  Not only would ending the state income tax allow working people and retirees on fixed incomes to keep more of their own money, it would force fiscal discipline on the state government. This is a win-win for Yavapai County taxpayers and all of Arizona.

Public Lands

The vast majority of the land in Arizona—87%–is owned by local, state, tribal and federal governments. Only 13% of Arizona’s lands are in private hands. Another 13% is in the State Land Trust. The federal government alone owns 42% of Arizona’s land.  For most states the amount of land in private hands averages around 60%. In many eastern states the  percentages are 70% or more. Arizona’s high percentage of government ownership dramatically reduces tax revenues and the opportunity for economic growth. This is a vital issue for Yavapai County taxpayers where 75% of the land is publicly owned.

While a State Senator, Congressman Biggs advocated stepping up sales from the State Land Trust. The income from grazing and mining royalties from the roughly 9 million acres in the Trust are principally dedicated to public education. In the aggregate, these lands are worth many billions of dollars. Stepped up sales would not only provide additional income for education, but would place currently untaxed public lands on the state and local tax rolls. Arizona has now been a sovereign state for 113 years. It’s time we addressed our antiquated public lands policies.   Congressman Biggs has a history as a State Senator that suggests he is well prepared to tackle this issue.

In sum, if candidate Biggs will find his voice on issues of importance to rural Arizona,  he will be rewarded with our votes. With the right message, there is every reason to believe he can erase his current deficit in the polls and become the next Governor of Arizona.