Former state Representative Amish Shah has won the Democratic primary for Arizona’s open 1st Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, handing a setback to national Democrats who had rallied behind his opponent. Shah, a physician, defeated former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods and three other candidates in the race for the suburban Phoenix seat.
Shah’s victory Tuesday delivers a blow to party leaders who saw Galán-Woods—a Republican-turned-Democrat and widow of late state Attorney General Grant Woods—as the stronger general election contender. The seat, left open by outgoing Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) who is running for governor, is considered a must-win for Democrats aiming to flip the House in November.
The primary outcome underscores tensions within the party, as national groups and prominent Arizona Democrats lined up behind Galán-Woods. Her endorsements included Senator Mark Kelly, Attorney General Kris Mayes, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and former Governor Janet Napolitano. The House Democrats’ campaign arm also backed her, even though it supported Shah in the previous cycle.
Shah, who was the Democratic nominee for the district in 2024, secured support from two former state House minority leaders—Lupe Contreras and Andrés Cano—and former Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers. His campaign emphasized his medical background and grassroots appeal, contrasting with the establishment backing for Galán-Woods.
On the Republican side, former NFL kicker Jay Feely won his primary against tech CEO John Trobough and former state Representative Joseph Chaplik. Feely, who played for the Arizona Cardinals, has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and is expected to make the general election a high-profile contest.
The 1st District, covering the northeastern Phoenix suburbs, is rated a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Trump carried the district by just over three percentage points in 2024, according to The Downballot, making it a prime target for both parties. Democrats see flipping this seat as key to reclaiming the House majority, while Republicans aim to hold it amid a competitive map.
Shah’s win highlights the challenge national Democrats face in balancing establishment preferences with local dynamics. The general election will test whether Shah can broaden his appeal in a battleground district that has trended slightly Republican in recent cycles.
For more on Arizona politics, see our coverage of the state’s GOP attorney general primary and the Senate race. The outcome here could signal broader trends ahead of the midterms.
