The political landscape in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is heating up as former state legislator and emergency-room doctor Amish Shah secures the Democratic nomination for the second time in a row. This victory, confirmed by the Associated Press, sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown in November.
Shah is set to compete against Jay Feely, a former NFL placekicker and political newcomer backed by Donald Trump, who easily clinched the Republican nomination. Feely’s victory in the GOP primary adds a fresh dynamic to the race in this pivotal district.
Despite facing competition from Marlene Galán-Woods, who received significant backing from key Democratic figures such as U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Attorney General Kris Mayes, Shah emerged victorious. Galán-Woods, a former broadcaster and ex-Republican, positioned herself as the candidate capable of capturing the district from Republican control after Shah’s unsuccessful bid against David Schweikert in 2024.
Shah attributes his success to grassroots efforts, particularly his dedication to meeting voters face-to-face. “It’s no secret, people have experienced those door knocks time and time again and then come out and told their friends, and that, to me, is the core of what we do,” Shah stated. “Center the voter and make sure that they know how much we care.”
With the Democratic primary behind him, Shah now aims to consolidate party support to seize this open seat, as Schweikert opted to run for governor rather than seek reelection in CD1. The challenge ahead is formidable, with Shah acknowledging the impossibility of reaching every doorstep before the general election. However, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong voter engagement, saying, “But I think with regard to how we approach the voters and how we talk to people and say, ‘this is who we are’ — we’re going to maintain that level of listening. That will never change.”
Arizona’s CD1 is recognized as one of the nation’s most competitive districts, and the upcoming months are critical as Democrats strive to regain control of the U.S. House in this year’s midterm elections.
Diannie Chavez/The Arizona Republic
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Pool photo
