“Rep. Dave Schweikert (R-Ariz.) is fighting for his political life in a key Arizona swing district, in what observers say will likely be the most competitive race of his years-long career.”
New reporting in The Hill highlights how embattled and vulnerable Rep. David Schweikert is facing “changing dynamics” as he struggles in his race against Dr. Amish Shah — an emergency room physician “known for reaching across the aisle while serving in the state legislature.”
Dr. Amish Shah has it all: A proven bipartisan voting record, a significant Q3 fundraising advantage, and a “very good reputation” in the community after knocking on more than 22,000 doors.
David Schweikert barely got through the 2022 midterms, and with abortion on the Arizona ballot this November, voters have never been more motivated to turn out against anti-choice Schweikert and his abysmal decade-long record of attacking reproductive freedoms.
There’s a good reason why polling shows Shah and Schweikert either neck and neck or with Shah racing ahead.
DCCC Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:
“The only things David Schweikert has to show for his 10-plus years in Congress are his attacks on reproductive rights and countless attempts to cut Social Security and Medicare. In three weeks, Arizonans will trade Schweikert’s self-serving extremism for Dr. Amish Shah’s proven independent track record of putting everyday families before party politics.”
Rep. Dave Schweikert (R-Ariz.) is fighting for his political life in a key Arizona swing district, in what observers say will likely be the most competitive race of his years-long career.
After narrowly winning reelection in 2022, Schweikert is looking to harness energy from having former President Trump at the top of the ticket this go-round. But some political observers point to an abortion ballot measure, controversy surrounding Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake and the general changing dynamics of the district as factors that could work against the incumbent.
“It’s a district that has been Republican, but always we’ve looked at it as a district that’s moving into that Democratic category, highly competitive,” said Chuck Coughlin, an Arizona-based political strategist, noting that Shah could benefit from high youth turnout thanks to the presidential race.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in mid-August released a poll that found the candidates were tied at 48 percent, while 4 percent were undecided. The House Majority PAC, which is aligned with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), released a poll in mid-September that had Shah up by 1 point, 48 percent to 47 percent.
“When talking to Democrats, Republicans and independents, it’s clear that securing the border is a top priority,” Shah said in a statement to The Hill. “That’s why I was proud to vote for over $200 million in border security funding in the 2023 budget. As an emergency room physician, I see the dangerous impact fentanyl is having in our communities.”
Shah was known for reaching across the aisle while serving in the state legislature. He has touted his bipartisan record on the campaign trail while also focusing on abortion, an issue that could drive turnout in the state with Proposition 139 on the ballot in November. Republicans across the country have struggled with the issue following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“I think abortion is where he’s probably strongest against David, because David has always been kind of…pretty strong on the pro-life issue in general,” said Arizona-based non-partisan pollster Mike Noble.
The doctor’s campaign and outside groups backing his bid have gone after Schweikert’s stance on abortion. They have also warned that Schweikert would support cutting Medicare and Social Security, something his campaign has denied.
Shah for his part has been raking in impressive amounts of money in recent months. In the third quarter, he raised $3.45 million, his campaign told The Hill. By comparison, Schweikert’s consultant Chris Baker told The Hill that the campaign committee has amassed just over $858,000 in the third quarter.
