Andy Biggs’ Troubling Vote History on Sex Trafficking Legislation
Andy Biggs Faces Examination for Past Votes on Sex Trafficking Legislation
As Rep. Andy Biggs positions himself as the Republican candidate for governor of Arizona, his previous votes against critical sex trafficking legislation are generating renewed scrutiny. He is set to contend against the current Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, in the upcoming electoral battle.
In 2018, Biggs voted against the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act. This important legislation aimed to enable state authorities to take action against websites that facilitate sex trafficking and to introduce new federal penalties for promoting prostitution online. Notably, this bill achieved substantial bipartisan support, ultimately passing through both the House and Senate before being signed into law by then-President Donald Trump. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also endorsed the measure.
Biggs has faced criticism for seemingly inadequate responses to protecting victims of sexual abuse. During his tenure in the Arizona Senate in 2013, he notably opposed efforts to dissolve a local police department that had been accused of protecting a religious sect responsible for the abuse of young girls. This incident has raised questions about his commitment to safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Furthermore, Biggs's voting record includes an initial vote in committee to block the release of Justice Department documents pertinent to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. However, he later reversed his stance and supported the public release of those documents in a floor vote.
Critics within his own party, including Rep. David Schweikert, who is running against him in the Republican primary, have voiced concerns. Schweikert publicly reprimanded Biggs in June for a history of "voting against protecting our children from really, really bad actors."
Recent polling by the Terrance Group indicates that Governor Hobbs has a narrow four-point lead over Biggs, setting the stage for a closely-watched election campaign.