iNDICA NEWS BUREAU–
Dr. Amish Shah, a 47-year-old Indian-American physician and former Arizona state representative, has clinched the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. The district, which includes parts of northeastern Phoenix, is set for a hotly contested race in November as Shah prepares to face off against seven-term Republican incumbent David Schweikert.
Shah, a five-year veteran of the Arizona State House, emerged victorious in a crowded Democratic field. According to KTAR News, he led his closest rival, Andrei Cherny, by 1,629 votes when Cherny conceded, holding a 23.9 percent to 21.4 percent advantage.
In a statement on social media platform X, Cherny wrote, “While it’s hard to come so close and fall short, win or lose, there are dreams worth chasing and things worth fighting for – and democracy, freedom, and America’s future couldn’t be higher on that list.” Shah has yet to release a statement regarding his primary victory.
Shah, the son of an Indian immigrant who arrived in the US in the 1960s, was born and raised in Chicago. He has worked as an emergency department physician for two decades and has represented Central Phoenix, Sunnyslope, and South Scottsdale in the Arizona House of Representatives since 2019.
The 1st Congressional District is known for its competitive nature. In 2022, Schweikert narrowly defeated Democrat Jevin Hodge by less than one percentage point, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely watched race this November.
Shah’s victory in the primary marks a significant step in his political career and sets up a high-stakes contest against Schweikert, whose political future has been clouded by recent controversies.
