By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs held his first rally in Pima County for his general election campaign on Friday, Aug.7, drawing more than 100 supporters to Tucson’s south side.
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Biggs, a Pima County native, focused much of his speech on what he described as the need for change from Gov. Katie Hobbs’ administration, citing rising utility costs, affordable housing, jobs, wage growth and border security.
He also called on Hobbs to face him in a public debate, something she has declined to do.
“And I’ll just tell you. I would love the chance to debate her,” Biggs said.
Biggs said winning support in Pima County is a priority for his campaign.
In the 2022 race, Hobbs received 60% of the vote in the county against Republican challenger Kari Lake. With a 47% turnout in this year’s primary election in Pima County, Biggs said he believes there is room to bring voters to his side in November.
“Nothing would thrill me more than to get a lot of support out of Pima County,” Biggs said.
He said independent voters are central to that effort.
“I think they want to live that American Dream, and I think that’s what we are trying to convey to them and what I think that turns around and does is I think it hopefully incentivizes people to come out and vote for a different direction than where we are today,” Biggs said.
Tom Wilson, a Tucson independent voter, said he attended the rally after growing frustrated with both parties. It was his first time attending a political rally.
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“This is the first time I’ve ever done this, so it’s gonna be a learning experience for me. I’m sure I will, uh, pick up some things that, that I didn’t know before I came here, and, and that should be probably true of everybody that attends these things,” Wilson said.
Several other Republican officials appeared at the rally, including lieutenant governor candidate Sine Kerr, who used the event to introduce herself to the Tucson community.
“Together we will get Arizona back on track,” Kerr said.
Kerr also addressed the campaign’s path forward.
“We are working so hard, and we are going to get this done, and we are going to do it with all of those supporters,” Kerr said.
Biggs is scheduled to make a stop in Phoenix on Saturday before traveling to Yavapai County for his next campaign appearance.
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