Congressman Andy Biggs, a leading GOP candidate in Arizona's Republican gubernatorial primary, faces renewed scrutiny over a decade-old polygamy scandal involving the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS).

The controversy resurfaced as a potential liability ahead of the general election, with critics highlighting his role in blocking a 2013 legislative effort to address the FLDS's alleged child sexual abuse practices.

The bill, which aimed to strip authority from the Colorado City Marshal's Office—a police force accused of enforcing FLDS interests—passed the state House but died in the Senate, with Biggs blamed for its failure.

The FLDS, which split from the Mormon Church over polygamy, faced intense scrutiny in the 2000s after its leader, Warren Jeffs, was convicted of sexually assaulting underage girls.Federal intervention later forced changes to the marshal's office, but critics argue reforms came too late.

While Biggs's campaign defends his record on child safety and religious freedom, political observers note the scandal complicates his bid to broaden appeal beyond his conservative base.

The primary focuses on affordability and electability, but the controversy underscores broader challenges for Biggs, a former House Freedom Caucus chairman, as he navigates balancing religious deference with public safety concerns.