Arizona’s Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Andy Biggs’ Voting Record Under Scrutiny
Two decades ago, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs cast a notable vote against a law aimed at battling child sex trafficking, and this decision has surfaced as a key issue in his current gubernatorial campaign.
During his tenure in the Arizona House in 2005, Biggs was among a small group of just four lawmakers who opposed SB 1338. This legislation sought to reclassify the crime of sex trafficking involving victims younger than 15 as a “dangerous crime against children,” imposing a 20-year presumptive prison term for first-time offenders and a 30-year term for repeat offenders.
Despite the significance of the bill, Biggs did not offer a formal rationale for his opposition. The measure was eventually signed into law by then-Governor Janet Napolitano, a Democrat.
Biggs’ voting record on related issues has been contentious, drawing criticism from various quarters. In the same year, he opposed a bipartisan initiative mandating that sex offenders relocating to Arizona re-register in the state. Two years later, he was the sole committee member to vote against a law that aimed to increase penalties for child prostitution.
His controversial voting patterns continued in 2013 as the leader of the Arizona Senate, where he halted a bipartisan effort to dismantle a local police force alleged to have been shielding an extremist religious sect involved in the abuse of young girls.
After joining Congress in 2017, Biggs maintained his stance, opposing a 2018 bipartisan bill aimed at curbing online sex trafficking. This legislation, backed by a wide range of lawmakers, was enacted by President Donald Trump.
In more recent developments, Biggs initially voted in committee to prevent the release of Justice Department files concerning the investigation of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, although he later supported their release during a floor vote.
As Biggs contests incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, recent polling data from the Tarrance Group in July indicates that Hobbs holds a four-point lead over him.
The post Biggs opposed 2005 law targeting child sex traffickers appeared first on American Journal News.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
