Amish Shah Surges Ahead in Arizona’s Democratic Primaries
Democrat Amish Shah, a physician and former state representative, has expanded his lead in the critical battleground primaries in Arizona, despite the backing of party leadership for a rival candidate.
Current Standings in the Democratic Primary
As of now, NBC News has yet to forecast the winner of the 1st District Democratic primary, but Mr. Shah is currently ahead by seven points, with 84% of the votes counted. This comes even as an onslaught of negative advertisements targeting Mr. Shah has surfaced, supporting his opponent, Democrat Marlene Galan-Woods, a former journalist who is backed by Democratic leadership in both Arizona and Washington, D.C.
Background of Amish Shah’s Campaign
Shah, who is a 2024 Democratic candidate, narrowly lost to Republican Rep. David Schweikert in the previous election cycle, during which Schweikert attempted to run for governor. This year, the Democratic nominee for the 1st District will challenge Republican Jay Feeley, a former professional soccer player who secured the district’s primary with President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Significance of the Congressional Seat
Touted as a crucial seat, Feeley emphasized at an election night event the competitive landscape of the House: “With the current closeness of the House, just a few seats across the country will determine who maintains control in November. This is one of those pivotal seats.”
Shah’s Legislative Record and Policy Focus
Mr. Shah’s campaign strategy for 2026 has heavily leveraged his legislative achievements, positioning himself against Republican policies and the Trump administration in Arizona. He has also focused on healthcare issues, particularly access to abortion, drawing on his experience as an emergency room doctor.
Financial Dynamics of the Campaign
A significant influx of external funds has influenced the final week of the Democratic primary for this Maricopa County seat, fueling attack advertisements that criticize Shah’s voting record in the state legislature and accusing him of aligning with conservative viewpoints on contentious social issues.
DCCC’s Unusual Intervention and Shah’s Response
In a rare move, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has engaged in this primary, typically refraining from involvement in numerous Democratic contests. The DCCC’s ads have highlighted Galan-Woods’ endorsement by Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. In response to the attacks, Shah lamented, “Dark financial groups are misleading voters with deliberate misinformation,” criticizing the DCCC’s efforts to intervene against his candidacy.
Republican Strategies and Other Competitive Races
On the Republican side, Feeley’s alignment with Trump has established him as a frontrunner within the party’s primary. Originally targeting Arizona’s 5th Congressional District—a stronghold vacated by Republican Rep. Andy Biggs—Feeley shifted his focus to the 1st District. He aims to unify his party’s factions while pinpointing Democrats as the source of issues like inflation. However, Democrats are planning to counter this narrative by linking Feeley to Trump, which could sway moderate voters in a state where Trump-backed candidates have had mixed success.
Outlook in Other Arizona Districts
In Arizona’s other key House contest, the 6th District, Republican Rep. Juan Siscomani faces Democrat Joanna Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran and experienced political aide. Meanwhile, in the 2nd Congressional District, which Trump won by 15 points in the last election, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez is positioned to challenge Republican Rep. Eli Crane in a rematch. Additionally, in Tuesday’s primaries, another Trump-supported candidate, Mark Lamb, emerged as the leading contender for Biggs’ former seat, despite facing scrutiny related to allegations of misconduct, which he has denied, with local authorities concluding no wrongdoing was found.
