In a significant development for the 2026 midterm elections, Amish Shah has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 1st District. This victory comes despite substantial opposition from party leaders who backed his rival, Marlene Galán-Woods.
The race in Arizona’s 1st District is considered one of the most critical battlegrounds for Democrats aiming to flip the House. Shah’s triumph sets the stage for a high-stakes general election against Republican nominee Jay Feely a former professional football kicker endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Shah’s Victory Amidst Party Division
Shah’s campaign faced an onslaught of late ads funded by dark money groups and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) which supported Galán-Woods. Despite this, Shah’s focus on his legislative record and healthcare advocacy resonated with voters.
Shah emphasized his work as an emergency room doctor and his stance on healthcare issues and abortion access. He also criticized the broken cabal within the democratic party, highlighting the tension between local candidates and national party leaders.
This victory marks the third time this election cycle that a DCCC-backed candidate has lost a primary, following similar outcomes in Maine and California. Shah’s campaign strategy, which included pushing back against attack ads and emphasizing his legislative achievements, proved successful in rallying voter support.
Feely’s Path to the Republican Nomination
On the Republican side, Jay Feely secured his party’s nomination with the backing of President Trump. Feely’s fame and Trump’s endorsement made him the heavy favorite in the Republican primary. Initially, Feely had launched a campaign for Arizona’s 5th District but later pivoted to the 1st District with Trump’s encouragement.
Feely’s campaign has focused on tying Democratic candidates to the most liberal wing of their party and blaming inflation and housing issues on Democrats. The general election is expected to see Democrats reciprocate by linking Feely to Trump, aiming to sway moderate voters who have previously broken against Trump-backed candidates in Arizona.
Feely acknowledged the importance of the 1st District, stating, This seat is such an important seat. You know how close the House is, and there’s three to five seats in the country that will determine who holds the House and who controls the House in November. This is one of those seats.
Other Key Races in Arizona
In addition to the 1st District, other significant races in Arizona have set the stage for competitive general elections. In the 6th District, Republican Juan Ciscomani will face Democrat JoAnna Mendoza a Marine veteran. The 2nd District will see a rematch between Republican Eli Crane and Democrat Jonathan Nez the former Navajo Nation President.
In the GOP gubernatorial primary, Andy Biggs secured a decisive victory, setting up a showdown with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. Biggs, a former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, led with 73 percent of the vote, with his nearest opponent, David Schweikert trailing significantly.
Another notable race is in Arizona’s 5th District, where Mark Lamb a former Pinal County Sheriff and Trump-backed candidate, won the Republican nomination. Lamb’s campaign has been marred by controversy, including allegations of sexual impropriety and sharing homophobic and racist texts. Despite these allegations, Lamb remains the heavy favorite in a district Trump carried by 20 points in 2026.
The outcomes of these races will have significant implications for the balance of power in the House and the political landscape of Arizona. As the general election approaches, all eyes will be on these critical battlegrounds.
