WASHINGTON, JUL 23 (PTI): Indian-American physician Amish Shah, 48, has won the Democratic congressional primary for Arizona’s First District, defeating establishment-backed candidate Marlene Galan-Woods in a closely contested race. Shah, known for his grassroots, door-to-door campaign style that reached nearly 28,000 homes, will face Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker endorsed by President Donald Trump, in the November elections.
A three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Shah’s victory marks the second consecutive time he has secured the Democratic nomination in the district. In 2024, he won the primary but lost to Republican David Schweikert in the general election. Schweikert, an eight-term lawmaker, contested the Republican gubernatorial primary this year but was defeated by Trump-backed Andy Biggs.
Born in Chicago to Gujarati immigrant parents, Shah pursued medicine through Northwestern University and later earned a Master’s in Public Health at UC Berkeley. He trained in emergency medicine at New York City’s busiest trauma centre and previously served as an NFL physician for the New York Jets, where he crossed paths with Feely.
Shah’s campaign emphasizes lowering healthcare costs, challenging pharmaceutical companies, and promoting preventive health. Outside politics, he founded the Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival and supports organizations like Sounds Academy and the Humane Society of the United States.
Fluent in Gujarati and conversational Spanish, Shah enjoys basketball, flying small planes, and adventurous travel. He is also a pet lover, with three adopted cats. After his win, Shah described the result as a “grassroots victory” and pledged to unite Democrats, Independents, and Republicans in the district.
