NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Phoenix, AZ, August 2, 2024: Former state Representative Amish Shah has emerged victorious in a highly contested Democratic primary for Arizona’s First Congressional District. The Associated Press called the race for Shah, a medical doctor, on Thursday evening after he secured nearly 24% of the vote, outpacing his closest competitor, Andrei Cherny, by about three percentage points.
Cherny, a former assistant Arizona attorney general and past chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, conceded shortly after the results were announced.
Shah, who stepped down from his position in the Arizona House of Representatives earlier this year to focus on his congressional campaign, is the first Indian-American to serve in the Arizona legislature. During his tenure, he was known for his bipartisan legislative efforts and commitment to issues such as healthcare, education, and voting rights. Shah’s campaign has emphasized fair wages, universal healthcare, and abortion access as key components of his platform.
Cherny, who received backing from prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, finished second in the crowded primary field. Marlene Galán-Woods, a former broadcast journalist and widow of former Attorney General Grant Woods, closely trailed Cherny. She had the endorsement of several high-profile Democrats, including Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and former Governor Janet Napolitano.
Other candidates in the race included Conor O’Callaghan, a finance professional; Andrew Horne, an orthodontist; and Kurt Kroemer, former CEO of the Arizona/New Mexico region of the American Red Cross, who all finished with lower percentages of the vote.
Shah’s victory sets up a general election showdown against incumbent Republican Congressman David Schweikert, who easily secured his party’s nomination.
Shah’s parents immigrated from India in the 1960s. A graduate of Northwestern University and its medical school, Shah has practiced emergency medicine for over 15 years. Outside his medical career, he has been a strong advocate for health and wellness in the community, founding the Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival to promote healthy eating. His legislative accomplishments include receiving the 2022 Women’s Health Care Champion Legislator of the Year Award and the Nursing Hero Award from the Arizona Nurses Association.
As the general election approaches, Shah faces the challenge of unseating a well-established incumbent in a district that covers parts of Scottsdale and northern Phoenix. However, his grassroots campaigning and strong fundraising efforts—he raised over $530,000 in the first quarter of his campaign, with the majority of donations coming from Arizona—have positioned him as a formidable contender.
The race between Shah and Schweikert is expected to be closely watched as a key battleground in the upcoming election.
Cover photo courtesy: Amish Shah’s campaign website.
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Publish date : 2024-08-02 09:07:00
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