Candidate Dr. Amish Shah Discusses the Race for the Democratic House Congressional District One Primary

Arizona House Congressional District (CD) One is one of the most watched Congressional races in the country. 

A district where, in 2022, incumbent David Schweikert prevailed in a non-Presidential election year by about a point, has Democrats gleeful that this seat can be a pickup on the road to recapturing a House majority in this November’s elections. 

So gleeful that there are six Democrats vying to secure their party’s nomination this July to campaign for the seat in the November elections. 

Physician and former Democratic State House Legislator Dr. Amish Shah is one of them. 

A viable contender in the primary race, Dr. Shah graciously took time to discuss the status of the primary campaign.

The questions and his responses are below. 

• How would you assess your chances for victory in the July primary? Please give
  us at least two reasons you feel that way.

“I feel very confident about my chances in the July primary. I’m the only candidate in this
race who has been elected to office in Arizona. Over the past five years as a legislator,
I’ve passed more legislation than any other Democrat in the last decade. My track record
speaks for itself—I’ve been named Women’s Health Champion/Legislator of the Year, for
blocking an abortion ban. I’ve personally knocked on nearly 20,000 doors, connecting
directly with voters and understanding their concerns. This hands-on approach has not
only helped me win elections but also shaped my legislative priorities. It’s this
combination of proven effectiveness and deep community engagement that makes me
the strongest candidate in the race.”

• With regards to policy issues, what are at least two areas voters have been
  bringing up to you when visiting them at their door or town hall/campaign events?
  Please explain.

“From my extensive time at the doors, voters consistently bring up two main issues: threats
against our democracy and reproductive freedoms. They’re concerned about the integrity of our
elections and the ongoing attacks on voting rights. Having served five years in the legislature,
I’ve been at the forefront of securing the sanctity of our free and fair elections, leading efforts to
protect and expand voting rights, and always rejecting dark money in politics.”

“When it comes to reproductive rights, my perspective as an ER physician with 20 years of
experience makes me the strongest candidate on this issue in the race. I understand the
medical importance and necessity of protecting reproductive rights. In the Arizona House, I
helped lead the effort to defeat an even more dangerous abortion ban than the unfortunate one
that passed. For my efforts, I’ve been endorsed by and chosen as the Legislator of the Year by
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).”

• Please tell the readers about the composition of your ground/get out the vote operation
  for the primary and, if you prevail, the general election in November.

“Our ground game is one of the most robust and dynamic operations you’ll find. For the primary,
we’ve built a dedicated team of volunteers and staff who are committed to reaching every corner
of our district. This team is knocking on doors, making phone calls, and engaging with voters
through community events. We’re harnessing the power of grassroots organizing, which has
always been a cornerstone of my campaigns. I’ve won all three of my elections in a resounding
fashion due to an aggressive door-to-door campaign that connects me with the community each
and every day. I have always won these elections, and that won’t stop now. If we prevail in the primary, our strategy for the general election will continue to build on these efforts. Last time, the incumbent only won by 0.8 percentage points, and I’m the first candidate in multiple cycles who has actually been elected before and has the field framework to win.”

• Is there anything not covered in the first three questions that you would like the
  readers to know about your primary campaign for Arizona House Congressional
  District One? Please explain

“One thing I’d like readers to know about my primary campaign for Arizona House Congressional
District One is that we are incredibly proud to have run a community-built and backed positive
campaign. We have never and will never go negative or engage in mudslinging because our
focus is on creating solutions, not problems. Our aim is to increase voter turnout, not hurt it—we
have too much respect for voters and their needs to resort to negative tactics that could harm
the Democratic cause.”

“Throughout my career, I have always worked to help fellow Democrats and get things done for
our community by seeking bipartisan solutions. That’s the type of leadership you’ll get from me.
Our campaign is about bringing people together, fostering respect, and addressing the real
issues that matter to Arizonans.”

Please click here to find out more information about Dr. Amish Shah and his candidacy for the Arizona Congressional District One House Seat.