Arizona’s 1st Congressional District Race Heats Up Between Schweikert And Shah‌ ‌

Incumbent U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R) and Amish Shah (D) are running in the November 5, 2024, general election for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.

According to AP’s Kevin Freking, “Schweikert won his suburban Phoenix district by just 3,200 votes in 2022 against a relatively unknown rival who got minimal support from national Democrats. This time, the House Majority PAC, which focuses on electing Democrats, is planning to spend more than $6 million on ads compared to about $4.9 million from the lead Republican group, the Congressional Leadership Fund.”

Following redistricting in Arizona after the 2020 census, Schweikert changed districts from Arizona’s 6th Congressional District to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. After the state approved new legislative maps in January 2022, the 1st District changed from a district that voted for former President Donald Trump (R) 51.4%-47.3% in 2020, to a district that would have voted for President Joe Biden (D) 50.1%-48.6%. Schweikert won Arizona’s 1st Congressional District election in 2022 50.4%-49.6%.

As of Aug. 20, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Decision Desk HQ and The Hill, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the election as a toss-up, while Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the election as Tilt Republican.

Schweikert was first elected to the U.S. House in 2010. Before running for Congress, Schweikert served in the Arizona House of Representatives, on the Arizona Board of Equalization, and as the Maricopa Country Treasurer. Schweikert earned a bachelor’s degree and M.P.A. from Arizona State University and worked for his family’s real estate company.

Schweikert says he will work to lower taxes, create jobs, and stop illegal immigration. On the economy, Schweikert’s campaign website says, “Fighting for policies that strengthen our economy and encourage job creation has always been a top priority of David Schweikert. That’s why he has relentlessly fought in Congress for policies that encourage economic growth. It’s also why he has fought tooth and nail to stop the Biden administration’s job-killing policies from becoming law.”

Before running for Congress, Shah served in the Arizona House of Representatives. Shah earned a B.A. and M.D. from Northwestern University and an M.P.H. from the University of California at Berkeley. Shah worked as a physician at the Mayo Clinic, Dignity Health, and IASIS Healthcare, as the chief medical officer of Urgent Consult, and as an airway management physician with the New York Jets.

Shah says he will work to increase access to healthcare, protect democracy, and increase teachers’ pay. On his campaign website, Shah said, “I stand for universal health care, including reproductive rights. I’m 100% pro-choice…So stand with me. I stand for all Americans to have comprehensive and high-quality healthcare with ease of access.”

Based on second quarter reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Schweikert raised $2.7 million and spent $1.2 million and Shah raised $1.5 million and spent $1.3 million. 

Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is one of 34 congressional districts with a Republican incumbent or an open seat the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting in 2024. 

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