(The Center Square) – Incumbent Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert will return to Washington D.C. next year.
In a pitched race for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, multiple news outlets are calling the race for Schweikert over former state Rep. Amish Shah.
Monday morning vote tallies showed Schweikert with a 52%-48% lead over the Democratic emergency physician. The gap between the two men is 16,730.
The race saw more than $15 million spent trying to sway the swing district between Schweikert and Shah.
The district represents the northeastern Valley cities of Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley and northeastern portions of Phoenix.
According to Open Secrets, the candidates’ spending was dwarfed by outside organizations looking to take advantage of the competitive district. As of mid-October, Shah had spent $4.6 million, and Schweikert’s campaign went through $3.4 million. Outside organizations gave Schweikert some help, spending more than $940,000 on ads boosting him and nearly $9 million attacking Shah. The Democrat saw large campaign spending in his corner. Groups spent $3.5 million boosting his profile and $10.7 million attacking the vulnerable incumbent Republican.
A congressman since 2011, Schweikert made a name for himself as a fiscal hawk. He would often share fire and brimstone speeches about the country’s ballooning national debt. Schweikert eked out a 2022 electoral victory over Democrat Jevin Hodge by fewer than 3,200 votes.
Shah is an emergency physician and former state representative who garnered a reputation for moderate stances and voting with Republicans where most Democrats would toe the party line.
