Amish Shah claims victory in Arizona congressional seat, 6th Indian-American in US House; becomes first from community to represent state

Indian-American physician Amish Shah has made history by becoming the first member of the community to represent Arizona in the US Congress. The Democrat defeated Republican Jay Feely, a former National Football League (NFL) player backed by President Donald Trump, in a closely contested election for Arizona's First Congressional District.

Shah, 48, won 52.49 per cent of the vote, while Feely received 45.45 per cent, flipping a Republican-held seat. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 8.39 pm EST on Wednesday. His victory also makes him the sixth Indian-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives.

"Arizona, it's the honour of a lifetime to be your next congressman," Shah said in a post on X following his victory.


Congratulating his rival, Shah said he intended to represent everyone in the district, regardless of how they voted. He also called for an end to political divisions, highlighting affordable healthcare, lower living costs, addressing Arizona's water crisis and economic growth as priorities.

Who is Amish Shah?

Born in Chicago to Gujarati parents who immigrated to the US in the 1960s, Shah comes from an Indian-American family with Jain and Hindu backgrounds. He studied at Northwestern University, where he completed his undergraduate degree and medical education through its Honours Programme in Medical Education.

He subsequently earned a Master's degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, on a full merit scholarship. He also completed his emergency medicine residency at a Level-1 trauma centre in New York City.

Before entering politics, Shah built his career as an emergency room physician. He also provided emergency medical care to the New York Jets, the NFL team Feely previously kicked for. The two candidates therefore shared a professional connection before facing each other in the congressional contest.

Shah entered electoral politics in 2018, winning a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 2020 and 2022, serving three consecutive terms. During his five years in the state legislature, he worked on healthcare, public safety, teacher pay and support for small businesses. His campaign said he had more bills signed into law than any Arizona Democrat in the preceding decade.

His congressional campaign focussed on reducing healthcare costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and defending abortion and voting rights.

Indian American Impact credited Shah's grassroots campaign, saying he had knocked on more than 28,000 doors and spoken directly with voters about healthcare affordability and rising costs.