Arizona Democrat Amish Shah Wins Primary for 1st House Seat

Former Arizona state legislator Amish Shah has won the Democratic primary for a key U.S. House seat in Arizona, defeating a candidate backed by the national party's campaign arm in a result that underscores rising frustration with the Democratic establishment. Shah, an emergency room physician, secured the nomination on July 22, 2026, and will face Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker endorsed by former President Donald Trump, in the November general election.

The race for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, a wealthy suburban area northeast of Phoenix, is viewed as a toss-up and could help determine which party controls the House of Representatives. The seat is open because the eight-term Republican incumbent, David Schweikert, opted to run for governor but lost his party's primary on July 21.

Shah, a three-term former state representative, defeated former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods, who had been endorsed and financially supported by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). With an estimated 95 percent of votes counted, Shah led with approximately 39 percent to Galán-Woods's 34 percent. Two other candidates trailed significantly.