Indian-origin Democrat Dr. Amish Shah has taken a narrow lead in the highly competitive race for Arizona’s First Congressional District. According to the New York Times, Shah is currently polling at 50.9% of the vote, edging ahead of incumbent David Schweikert, who has 49.1%. The district, encompassing much of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Fountain Hills, was traditionally a Republican stronghold but is now seen as one of Arizona’s most competitive, with nearly a third of its voters registered as Independents.
Dr. Shah, an emergency room physician with over 20 years of experience, first entered politics when he was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2017. His campaign focuses on healthcare reform, particularly lowering costs and addressing price gouging for essential medications like insulin. He is also committed to improving teacher salaries and advocates for the protection of personal medical decisions.
“Dr. Shah is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs and standing up to Big Pharma to end the price gouging of essential medications,” his campaign website states. “He believes that politicians should stay out of personal medical decisions, and he will work tirelessly to ensure women have the freedom to make choices about their own bodies.”
