Join Our Drunken Live Blog of the Republican Governor's Primary Debate

Well, chalk it up to being a small newsroom — or to the fact that sometimes we need a minute to come up for air.

We fully intended to live-blog every major debate this election season. But it turns out that running a newsroom while simultaneously fact-checking candidates in real time is not for the faint of heart (or the chronically overbooked).

All of that is to say: we're back.

And we're returning for what may be one of the most consequential Republican primary contests in Arizona this year.

Will GOP voters choose Rep. Andy Biggs, the far-right election denier who has built his campaign around attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and secured endorsements from President Donald Trump, Turning Point Action, and every member of Arizona's Legislative Freedom Caucus?

Or will they stick with Rep. David Schweikert, a longtime incumbent whose endorsements come from more traditional conservative organizations, including the American Conservative Union and Americans for Prosperity Action?

Ken Miceli and Scott Neely, two local business owners, are also in the runnings but are considered long shots in the polls.

Biggs and Schweikert are recognized as the two frontrunners in the race. And Biggs has largely been viewed as the leading choice heading into the race, but tonight's debate offers voters one of their clearest opportunities yet to see the candidates make their case side by side.

We'll be following along in real time.

Now, the rules for tonight's game:

Live Blog

This blog will start at 6 p.m. on June 17, 2026.

5:59: Here we go yall! I've got a three-fingers of Del Bac Whiskey with one ice sphere and am ready to watch.

6:03: There seems to be some delay... Standby. Have a sip if you're thirsty.

6:02: Hey ya’ll, it’s Sreejita! I’m a new fellow here with LOOKOUT joining John for tonight’s live blog. I have a bottle of Malibu by my side😉

6:07: okay, technical issue. Our link isn't working. you can watch here: https://www.12news.com/video/news/live_stream/arizona-gop-governor-debate/75-7d4d5ccd-a9c0-4a08-8c83-197088eb90e8

6:08: Biggs is claiming both that he's the most conservative candidate on the stage and that he's willing to work across the aisle. That's rarely the stance he takes outside of debate stages. https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-unveils-america-first-contract-most-comprehensive-republican

Moderator takes a dig at Neely, noting how few votes he got in last primary campaign. He counters by claiming that he's a builder. He boasts that he "got a smashed hand" while building the border wall.

Big drink at 6:12: Scott Neeley is not like other girls!

Big drink at 6:13: Neither is Miceli, apparently.

6:14 "I would not be sitting here if it were not for the veterans," says Miceli. I'm fact-checking that and... he is in fact standing.

6:15: [visual] Scott holds up his plan for fixing the water crisis

6:16: Schweikert says we don't have a water crisis and then... we do have a water crisis. He notes nearly 50% of AZ water goes to growing cattle feed. He says of the no-crisis/crisis "It is manageable. It is not going to be free."

6:18: Biggs backs Hobbes on 3-year data center moratorium. That's not on the drink list but take a drink anyway!

6:17: our live debate link is now working.

6:20: CORRECTION. Miceli is indeed sitting. Sorry yall, I missed the opening statement and establishing shots.

6:23 Neely advocates for "micro-nuclear" power, and says he won't allow any further data center construction unless they build their own desal plants. That is an idea bandying around the data center world: https://blog.equinix.com/blog/2025/03/20/how-data-centers-can-use-alternative-water-sources/

6:24: Schweikert says AZ ranks 43rd in affordability. We're actually worse, coming in at 45: https://www.azfamily.com/2026/04/17/arizona-affordability-crisis-new-report-ranks-state-45th-nation/
He adds that you don't "magically" make things more affordable. That claim holds up to a fact check.

6:27: Moderator claims income tax accounts for half of the state budget. Biggs calls her out, and says it's far less than that, and his own numbers are closer than hers. https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/tracking-the-fallout-from-state-tax-cuts-0?item=30618

6:29: Biggs said that Hobbs told New York Times that Arizona was out of water. In fact, she said, “We are not out of water and we will not be running out of water.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/climate/arizona-phoenix-permits-housing-water.html/

6:32: Both Neely and Miceli advocate for decreased or even eliminated property taxes. Currently no US state is without property taxes. https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/property-taxes-by-state-county/

6:33: New drink idea at 6:32: Take a sip every time Miceli says he’s a businessman.

6:35: Schweikert claims all of Affordable Care Act funds were borrowed. It's much more complicated than that. https://www.cbo.gov/

6:33: Schweikert asks his opponents to read a budget and stop with the “word salad.” Cat fight!

6:38: Miceli makes some bold claims, including that people making $60 or $80k can buy houses and then.... something about being able to buy a house with $10k in cash.

6:39: Neely advocates expansion of ESA’s, including merging the program with trade school training programs.

6:41: "The present economy is going to be governed by robots." -Scott Neely

6:43: Biggs attacks Hobbs for "crushing education." He joins the other candidates in backing ESAs, and calls for further expansion. Unclear about what that expansion would look like.

6:44: Fact check: ESAs in Arizona are funded at 90% of state per pupil funding, not 70%

6:48: Biggs talks about "the Florida standard" of voting integrity. DeSantis did sign a close version of the much debated federal SAVE Act. https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-florida-save-act-strengthen-election-integrity-and

6:50: Miceli asks how many dead people are currently voting. The answer is none.

BIG DRINK at 6:50: Scott Neely is America First!

6:51: Sip FIVE TIMES for all the things Katie Hobbs has done.

6:53: Schweibert is right! According to independent voter project, there is almost 1 percentage point more of Independents in the state than Republicans.

6:54: Closing statements in. Lots of word salad, to quote Schweikert. Overall it was pretty civil. They didn't really hit at Hobbs too hard either. Get back with us for ongoing drunken debate coverage. Finish your drink, if you've any left.