Biggs’ Problem in CD5

Biggs’ Problem in CD5

6 in 10 want Andy Biggs to resign if allegations of role in Capitol Riots are true

PHOENIX (January 22, 2021)- Rep. Andy Biggs’ grip on his ruby-red East Valley congressional district may be in jeopardy amid allegations that he helped plan the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

A new survey of 500 registered voters in Arizona’s 5 Congressional District (CD5) conducted by OH Predictive Insights (OHPI) found six in 10 voters want their congressman to resign if the allegations are true. Nearly seven in 10 voters want congressional or U.S. attorney investigations into what happened during the deadly day at the Capitol.

“Voters across the CD5 spectrum were appalled by the actions of the rioters at the U.S. Capitol,” OHPI chief of research Mike Noble said. “Andy Biggs may have to explain to his constituents whether he was involved in the planning of the event as alleged.”

Half of all registered voters in CD5 have heard of the allegations that some U.S. Congressmen played a role in the events of that day, according to the poll taken between January 19 and January 20, 2021.

Awareness is highest among older voters and Democrats and lowest among Republicans and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).

Voters overwhelmingly agreed that there should be ramifications for a member of Congress, if he or she did play a part in the events surrounding the storming of the Capitol.

“Voters in this district across are sending a clear message,” Noble said. “They want any member of Congress who played a role in the riots to be held accountable.”

Seven in 10 voters in CD5 – including three-fifths of registered Republicans — would support either Congress itself or the U.S. Attorney’s Office launching an investigation into a members’ alleged role in the attacks. Support dips to slightly more than 60 percent for removing the member from their chairmanship of any groups they may be a part of, if applicable. However, even the heaviest punishment – expelling the member from Congress – earned the support of 62 percent of voters in the district along with a plurality of Republicans.

Regarding Rep. Biggs, half (48 percent) of his constituents believe that the allegations that he played a role in the events on Jan. 6 are true. Only 33 percent disagree. It should be noted that Biggs denies allegations from one of the organizers that he helped create the Jan. 6 event.

In potentially troubling news for Biggs, if the allegations are true, more than 6 in 10 of his constituents think that he should resign his seat in Congress. This includes majorities of Independents, older voters, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – all of which are large components of Biggs’ base of support in his district.

While a majority (52 percent) of Republicans believe the allegations against Biggs are probably or definitely false, if it turns out that Biggs did in fact play a role in the Jan. 6 events, GOP support begins to crack. A plurality of Republicans (44 percent) would prefer Biggs resign and someone else represent them in Congress. Only 39 percent of GOP voters in the district would want Biggs to continue to be their voice in Washington.

“Looking at the numbers, it becomes apparent Congressman Biggs had better mount a vigorous defense of his actions,” says OHPI Data Analyst Jacob Joss, “because voters in a district he won by nearly 20 points appear to be willing to turn on him.”

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Methodology: This poll  was conducted as a blended phone survey 32% Live Caller/68% IVR. The survey was completed by OH Predictive Insights from January 19th to January 20th, 2021, from an Arizona Congressional District 5 Registered Voter sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect gender, age, party affiliation, and ethnicity. The sample size was 500 completed surveys, with an MoE of ± 4.4%. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.

Media Contacts:

Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights, m.noble@ohpredictive.com, (480) 313-1837

Haylye Plaster, OH Predictive Insights, h.plaster@ohpredictive.com, (602) 687-3034

About OH Predictive Insights: As a nonpartisan market research, predictive analytics, and public opinion polling firm, Phoenix-based OH Predictive Insights provides accurate polling, focus groups, data analytics, and advanced targeted marketing to political and non-political clients alike. With leading professionals in the advertising, communication, polling, and political arenas, OH Predictive Insights will service political and non-political clients looking to improve their footing on key stakeholders and consumers. For more information, please call 602-362-5694 or submit a request online.