Arizona House primary: Doctor Amish Shah wins Democratic race

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 24, 2026

Emergency physician Amish Shah won the Democratic primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, defeating the candidate backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. His victory highlights growing friction between grassroots Democratic voters and party leadership, setting up a competitive general election against Republican Jay Feely in a key swing district.

In Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, emergency physician Amish Shah secured the Democratic nomination in a closely watched primary on Wednesday, marking another setback for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which had supported his opponent, Marlene Galán-Woods. Shah will face Republican Jay Feely in the general election this fall.

The district spans affluent suburban areas including northeast Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley. Although Republicans maintain a voter registration edge, demographic and political shifts over the past decade have moved the district closer to the center, making it a key battleground for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Amish Shah, an emergency room doctor by profession, and Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary, share an unusual background connection. Before entering politics, both were associated with the New York Jets—Shah served as the team’s physician while Feely was the team’s kicker.

The 1st District seat is open following incumbent Republican Representative David Schweikert’s unsuccessful bid for governor, where he lost the primary to fellow GOP Representative Andy Biggs on Tuesday.

The DCCC’s backing of Marlene Galán-Woods, a recent party switcher and former Republican who changed affiliation at the start of Trump’s presidency, surprised local Democratic leaders and activists. Observers noted that there appeared to be little substantive ideological difference between Galán-Woods, a former Phoenix television journalist, and Shah. This has raised questions about the DCCC’s strategy and its alignment with the preferences of rank-and-file Democratic voters in the district.

Republicans are expected to maintain a strong challenge in the general election due to the district’s composition. However, Shah’s primary win signals potential shifts within the Democratic electorate, reflecting a broader trend of voters diverging from national party leadership’s endorsements. The forthcoming race in Arizona’s 1st District will be closely monitored as part of the larger contest over control of the House of Representatives.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.