Last Updated:
Amish Shah, a doctor and former Arizona lawmaker, is challenging Rep. David Schweikert for Congress.
Shah has billed himself as someone willing to break from his party on the issue of immigration. (@DrAmishShah/X)
Democrat Amish Shah, of Indian origin, has gained a narrow lead in Arizona’s first Congressional District elections. He is currently ahead of incumbent David Schweikert in a district that spans much of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Fountain Hills.
Shah is in for a neck-and-neck battle, with 50.9 per cent of the vote share as opposed to Schweikert’s 49.1 per cent, the New York Times reported. The Phoenix-based emergency room doctor and former state lawmaker, has emerged as the Democratic nominee in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, challenging long-serving Republican Rep. David Schweikert.
Who Is Amish Shah?
Shah, 44, won a competitive six-way primary to secure his place in the race. A former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Shah represented District 24 from 2018 until he stepped down in February to focus on his congressional bid. After redistricting in 2020, Shah served the newly formed District 5, which covers parts of Phoenix.
Known for his pragmatic and bipartisan approach, Shah was one of the few Democrats to successfully pass legislation in the Republican-controlled Arizona state legislature. His willingness to work across party lines has set him apart, but also led to comparisons with Arizona’s independent U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who faced backlash from Democrats for her centrist stances in Congress.
On the campaign trail, Shah is emphasising his record of bipartisanship, positioning himself as a politician willing to break from party lines on key issues like immigration. Shah has pledged to “secure our border,” while also advocating for abortion rights, a major issue for Democratic voters in the upcoming election.
Shah has also expressed opposition to renewing the Trump-era tax cuts and supports raising taxes on those earning over $500,000. He backs federal efforts to reduce healthcare costs and expand affordable housing in Arizona, as well as universal prekindergarten.
A self-described advocate for healthcare reform, Shah once endorsed a single-payer system but now supports both single- or multi-payer models as potential solutions to the nation’s healthcare challenges. His healthcare-focused platform aligns with his background as a physician, and he has cited Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ proposals on the issue as a source of inspiration.
With a background in both medicine and state politics, Shah is positioning himself as a candidate with the experience and cross-party appeal to represent Arizona’s 1st District in Washington.
