Amish Shah, a former state representative, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 1st District on Wednesday, outpacing an establishment favorite and several well-funded contenders for this competitive seat.
The district, narrowly won by President Donald Trump by a margin of three points in 2024, is seen as a prime opportunity for Democrats this election cycle. The closely contested primary became a referendum on party leadership when the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods, a former broadcast journalist.
Ultimately, voters turned away from Galán-Woods, highlighting a trend of establishment-backed candidates facing rejection as Democrats express dissatisfaction with Washington’s leadership.
This year marks Shah’s second consecutive victory in the district’s Democratic primary. He previously won in 2024 but lost to Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) by four points in the general election.
The seat became available when Schweikert, who served eight terms as a Republican lawmaker, opted to challenge Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in the GOP primary for governor.
In the upcoming general election, Shah will face Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker endorsed by Trump, who played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Feely defeated former state Rep. Joseph Chaplik in the Republican primary on Tuesday.
Arizona’s 1st District encompasses the area around Phoenix in central Arizona, including affluent communities like Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, as well as extensive areas to the city’s northeast.
