PHOENIX (AP) — Republican David Schweikert has won an eighth term in a wealthy Phoenix-area congressional district by fending off a challenge from a Democratic former state lawmaker.
Schweikert defeated Amish Shah, an emergency room doctor, in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, which includes north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley.
Although Republicans have a voter registration lead in the district, this began to trend toward the center after Donald Trump’s 2016 victory, as some voters who historically supported Republicans reluctantly voted for Democrats or left their ballots blank.
The redistricting ahead of the 2022 midterm elections accelerated the trend, fueling hopes among Democrats that Schweikert could be defeated. He is known for his fight against national debt.
Schweikert won reelection in 2022 by just 3,200 votes against a relatively unknown Democrat who received minimal support from national Democrats. The race for the seat was tight again in 2024.
Schweikert’s reputation has been tarnished by ethical scandals in recent years. In 2022, he was fined $125,000 by the Federal Election Commission for embezzling campaign funds. Two years earlier, he agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and accept 11 campaign finance violations after an investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Ethics.
Shah, who emerged as the early winner from a field of six Democrats, had campaigned on lowering housing and health care prices.
