Phoenix, AZ — Dr. Amish Shah, an emergency room physician and former Arizona state representative, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Congress from Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. This marks his second attempt to unseat Republican incumbent David Schweikert, following a narrow defeat in the 2024 general election.
Key Facts:
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Previous Election: In 2024, Shah lost to Schweikert by a margin of 3.8%, securing 48.1% of the vote compared to Schweikert's 51.9%.
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Campaign Finances: As of March 31, 2025, Schweikert's campaign reported $694,863 in cash, while Shah's campaign had $71,555. Another Democratic contender, Marlene Galan-Woods, reported $303,278.
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Endorsements: Shah has garnered support from 26 current and former Arizona elected officials, including former State House Minority Leader Lupe Contreras and State House Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez. The Indian American Impact Fund has also endorsed him.
Campaign Platform:
Dr. Shah's campaign emphasizes his legislative accomplishments during his tenure in the Arizona House of Representatives, where he was elected in 2018, 2020, and 2022. His focus areas include:
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Healthcare Reform: Advocating for lower healthcare costs and challenging pharmaceutical companies to prevent price gouging on essential medications like insulin.
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Education: Working to increase teacher pay and support educational initiatives.
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Public Health and Safety: Implementing policies to improve community health outcomes.
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Women's Rights: Ensuring that women have the autonomy to make personal medical decisions without political interference.
Shah's campaign highlights his record of bipartisan collaboration and his commitment to representing the diverse constituents of Arizona's 1st District.
Political Landscape:
Arizona's 1st Congressional District is considered a competitive seat. The Cook Political Report and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate it as a "Toss-up," while Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales gives it a "Tilt Republican" rating.
Do You Know? Dr. Amish Shah previously served as a team physician for the NFL's New York Jets during his medical career in New York City.
Key Terms:
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Incumbent: The current holder of a political office.
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Endorsement: Public support or approval for a candidate by an individual or organization.
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Bipartisan: Involving cooperation between two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies.