In Arizona’s affluent 1st Congressional District, Republican David Schweikert has secured his eighth term, defeating Democratic challenger and former state lawmaker Amish Shah.
The Phoenix-area district, which encompasses north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley, has long been a Republican stronghold but has recently shown signs of shifting toward the center.
Despite these changes, Schweikert managed to hold his seat in the closely watched election that concluded Sunday.
While Republicans traditionally dominate voter registration in this district, shifts began following Donald Trump‘s 2016 election.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo
Some voters who previously supported Republicans began to cast ballots for Democrats or abstained, signaling a growing divide within the party.
This trend was further encouraged by redistricting before the 2022 midterms, which provided Democrats with some hope of flipping the district. Schweikert’s victory, however, reaffirms Republican resilience in an area where shifting demographics and political attitudes have generated uncertainty.
A History of Close Races
Schweikert is no stranger to tight contests. In 2022, he narrowly defeated a lesser-known Democratic candidate by only 3,200 votes, despite minimal support for his opponent from national Democratic organizations.
Beyond close elections, Schweikert’s career has been marred by ethics scandals. In 2022, he faced a $125,000 fine from the Federal Election Commission due to campaign fund misappropriation.
Additionally, two years earlier, the U.S. House Committee on Ethics levied an earlier $50,000 fine for campaign finance violations, tarnishing his reputation among constituents. Despite these controversies, Schweikert’s strong stance against government debt and his conservative fiscal policies appear to have sustained his support base.
Shah’s Campaign on Key Issues
Amish Shah, an emergency room doctor, campaigned on promises to reduce housing and health care costs, central issues resonating with Arizona voters amid rising living expenses.
Shah emerged as the primary winner from a field of six Democratic candidates, capturing hopes among Democrats that he could challenge Schweikert’s hold on the district.
His professional background in health care provided a compelling platform in a state where the cost of living, particularly health care, has become a major concern. However, Schweikert’s deep-seated incumbency and familiarity with the district’s voters proved challenging to overcome.
Patrick T. Fallon/AP Photo
Other Key Races in Arizona
Elsewhere in Arizona, Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton secured reelection against Republican Kelly Cooper in the state’s 4th District, which includes Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. Stanton, a former Phoenix mayor, has served in Congress since 2019. Meanwhile, in the 6th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani faced a close race with Democrat Kirsten Engel. This district, spanning Tucson to the New Mexico state line and including portions of the Arizona-Mexico border, remained undecided.
The high-stakes Senate race between Republican Kari Lake, a Trump ally and former news anchor, and Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Iraq War veteran, also remains in limbo, adding further suspense to Arizona’s midterm outcomes.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press