From Yuma to Phoenix, Arizona Democrats Call Out Biggs and Schweikert for Refusing To Answer for Rising Costs
5/15/26, 10:45 PM
This week, Copper State War Room held press conferences in Phoenix and Yuma, calling out Andy Biggs and David Schweikert for supporting a cost-hiking Washington agenda that is driving up prices — especially gas prices — and calling out Andy Biggs for backing devastating budget cuts that would hurt Arizona families.
Both the Biggs and Schweikert campaigns refused to address their votes to back the war in Iran, which is causing prices to keep climbing. In fact, mere hours after yesterday’s press conference in Yuma, where diesel hit its all-time high of $6.40 last month, both Biggs and Schweikert voted again to keep prices high.
Biggs still refuses to answer for why he wants to slash wildfire prevention funding, cut first responder pay, undermine child safety services, and rip meals away from kids — all while giving hundreds of millions in tax breaks to billionaires, special interests, and data centers.
Read and watch more below:
KYMA: Yuma leaders blame Biggs, Schweikert for rising cost of living in press conference
Moses Femino
May 15, 2026
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Local leaders are speaking out against two U.S. congressman from Arizona. Claiming their support for federal policies tied to the conflict in Iran is driving up gas prices and increasing costs for families across Yuma County.
At a press conference hosted by the Copper State War room, City of Yuma Councilmember Carol Smith, Yuma County Democratic Party Chair Xanthe Bullard and Yuma County Board of Supervisors Chairman Martin Porchas, criticized U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert. Saying their votes against efforts to limit further military action in Iran have contributed to rising fuel costs and broader inflation pressures.
“Families are paying nearly 500 dollars more in transportation costs alone. One of the highest increases in the country," Smith said. "Driven by rising gas prices following the war in Iran, which Biggs and Schweikert support.”
The speakers also pointed to a recent Joint Economic Committee report that found Arizona families are paying an estimated $2,200 more annually for goods and services. The report also cited $457 in increased transportation costs for Arizona households.
The local leaders said raising fuel prices are putting pressure on agriculture, businesses, workers and families across the state.
“For years, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert complained about inflation and gas prices," Bullard said. "They repeatedly claimed Arizona families were hurting and promised they would bring costs down. Now they’re in a position to actually do something about it, and they’re doing absolutely nothing to help Yuma families.”
According to AAA, diesel prices in Yuma reached an all-time high of $6.40 last month. Regular gasoline in Arizona is averaging about $4.80 per gallon. With Yuma currently at $4.89. The national average sits at $4.53.
Speakers also referenced recent inflation data tied to tariffs and energy costs. Saying price increases have outpaced wage growth and that grocery prices rose faster last month than any month in the last four years.
KAWC: Yuma Dems. leaders: high gas prices on Congressmen Biggs and Schweikert
Victor Calderón
May 14, 2026
Yuma Democratic leaders came together Thursday to call out Arizona Republican Congressmen Andy Biggs and David Schweikert on rising gas prices.
Local elected officials and the chair of the Yuma County Democratic Party say the congressmen have voted against efforts to end the war in Iran. That, they said, has led to higher gas prices for Arizonans.
In Yuma, the average for regular gasoline on Thursday was $4.89, according to AAA.
The local leaders mentioned a report from the Joint Economic Committee report that found Arizona families are paying $457 more in transportation costs.
"I see every day how financial stress affects families," said Yuma Councilwoman Carol Smith. "People are already struggling with the rising costs of groceries, child care, housing and health care. And when gas prices spike, it puts even more pressure on working families trying to make ends meet."
Yuma County Board of Supervisors Chairman Martin Porchas said working families in Yuma County are having to endure higher costs without relief from Washington.
“(Congressmen) Andy Biggs and David Schweikert spent years complaining about high gas prices and inflation. They repeatedly told Arizona families they understood the pressure people were under and promised they would lower costs," Porchas said. "But when they had the chance to stand up against a reckless war that experts warned would send fuel prices skyrocketing, both Biggs and Schweikert voted to keep the war going and keep raising gas prices. Now Arizona families are paying the price.”
Both Smith and Porchas mentioned Donald Trump's comments to a reporter earlier this week when Trump said "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing — we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
YCDP Chair Xanthe Bullard said Trump, Biggs and Schweikert are out of touch with everyday Arizonans.
“So families are now getting hit from every direction — higher fuel costs, higher transportation costs and higher prices on everyday necessities," Bullard said. "And what are Andy Biggs and David Schweikert doing to help? Nothing. They are not offering relief. They are not fighting to lower costs. They are not standing up for Arizona families. Instead, they continue backing the same reckless Washington agenda that is making life more expensive.”
Yuma Sun: Yuma Democratic leaders criticize Biggs and Schweikert over rising gas prices
James Gilbert
May 14, 2026
Three local Democratic leaders gathered Thursday at the Fry’s Fuel Center on South 4th Avenue to criticize U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, saying the two lawmakers have supported policies that are driving up gas prices and raising everyday costs for Arizona families.
The press conference, held at noon, featured Yuma County Board of Supervisors Chairman Martin Porchas, Yuma City Councilmember Carol Smith, and Yuma County Democratic Party Chair Xanthe Bullard.
The speakers pointed to a new Joint Economic Committee report showing Arizona families are paying an extra $2,200 a year for goods and services, including $457 more in transportation costs alone.
Porchas said rising fuel prices hit Yuma especially hard because of its agriculture‑based economy.
“As someone who grew up in Yuma County with my father and older siblings working as farm laborers, I understand firsthand how rising fuel prices hurt our communities,” Porchas said. “When diesel prices rise, it affects every part of our local economy… families end up paying more at the grocery store because those costs get passed down to the consumer.”
Porchas also criticized Biggs and Schweikert for voting against efforts to halt further military action in Iran, saying experts warned the conflict could push fuel prices even higher.
“They repeatedly told Arizona families they understood the pressure people were under and promised they would lower costs,” he said. “But when they had the chance to stand up against a reckless war… both Biggs and Schweikert voted to keep the war going and keep prices rising.”
According to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, Arizona drivers are paying some of the highest fuel prices in the country this week. The statewide average for regular gasoline is $4.84 per gallon, Yuma’s average is currently $4.89, compared with the national average of $4.53.
Diesel is even more expensive, averaging $5.79 per gallon statewide, well above the national diesel average of $5.63. Last month, the price in Yuma reached an all-time high of $6.40 a gallon.
Prices have climbed sharply over the past year. Regular gas in Arizona was $3.38 a year ago, and diesel was $3.46, meaning drivers are now paying about $1.46 more per gallon for gas and more than $2.33 more per gallon for diesel.
Councilmember Smith, who works as a nurse, said she sees the impact of rising costs on families every day.
“People are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, child care, housing and health care,” Smith said. “When gas prices spike, it puts even more pressure on working families trying to make ends meet.”
Smith said the new economic report shows families “are paying one of the highest transportation cost increases in the country.” She also criticized the lawmakers for supporting tariffs that she said raise prices on everyday goods.
“In 2025 alone, we’re paying over one and a half billion in additional costs because tariffs were passed directly on to consumers,” Smith said. “Families in Yuma know better. They feel the higher costs every single day.”
Yuma County Democratic Party Chair Xanthe Bullard said Biggs and Schweikert have spent years talking about inflation but have not delivered solutions.
“For years, Andy Biggs and David Schweikert complained about inflation and gas prices,” Bullard said. “Now they’re in a position to actually do something about it, and they’re doing absolutely nothing to help Yuma families.”
Bullard said families are being hit “from every direction – higher fuel costs, higher transportation costs, and higher prices on everyday necessities.”
She also pointed to comments made this week by President Trump, who said Americans’ financial situations were “not even a little bit” motivating his decisions.
“Arizonans’ struggles clearly aren’t motivating how Biggs and Schweikert vote either,” Bullard said. “Families cannot simply ignore higher prices at the gas pump and the grocery store.”
The speakers said they want leaders who will work to lower costs and support working families. “Arizona families deserve leaders who will actually fight to lower costs and stand up for working families,” Bullard said.
Yellow Sheet Report: Democrats demand budget answers, and they want them from Biggs
Jakob Thorington
May 12, 2026
Democratic lawmakers are calling on Arizona Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs to defend the “devastating” cuts he supported in Republicans’ now-vetoed budget proposal.
“Biggs is applauding a budget that makes life even harder and more expensive,” House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said during a press conference hosted by Copper State Victory today, a wing of the Navajo County Democratic Committee working to re-elect Arizona’s top Democratic officials.
“But let’s be honest, this is exactly who Andy Biggs has always been, ”he continued. “In Washington, Andy Biggs already voted for the same reckless agenda that we’re seeing today.”
Biggs has gone on record saying Arizona’s legislative Republicans “did a pretty good job” with the budget, mostly agreeing with their plans to fully conform to federal tax cuts and leave Proposition 123 renewal for next year.
Hobbs vetoed that budget on May 5, but De Los Santos has confirmed that conversations are still ongoing. He told the Legislative Report that he just met with Hobbs to discuss the budget directly before today’s press conference, but couldn’t share any details about the meeting or where budget negotiations stand.
“We’re negotiating the budget on the official side, but really what this is about is highlighting what Andy Biggs’ potential election could do to the state of Arizona,” De Los Santos said.
“(He’d) devastate emergency response, devastate support for first responders, devastate support for fighting wildfires, and all for what? To give more tax breaks to corporations, special interests and data centers.
The Copper Courier: [Social media post]
Robert Gundran
May 15, 2026
[Biggs] knows that these cuts are indefensible. Arizona families are already struggling with rising costs. Instead of fighting to help Arizona families, Andy Biggs is applauding a budget that makes life even harder and more expensive.
US Rep. Andy Biggs will likely be Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ opponent in November. He’s a fan of the Arizona Republicans’ budget proposal, and called it “common sense” on Twitter.
According to Gov. Hobbs, the Republican budget would give $600 million in tax breaks to billionaires and data centers, cut $16 million from the Arizona Department of Child Safety, and $2.2 million from the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, among other things.
Arizona Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, the minority leader in the Arizona House of Representatives, had some things to say about Biggs’s support of the plan.
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