PHOENIX — Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert continued to defend his Arizona seat against a stiff challenge from Democratic former state Rep. Amish Shah.
With 85% of votes counted in the 1st Congressional District, Schweikert leads Shah 51.9% to 48.1%, according to a report from Decision Desk Headquarters.
Mr. Schweikert has served in the House of Representatives since 2011, and Mr. Shah defeated an incumbent Republican this term in a crowded primary.
Mr. Schweikert is a fiscal hawk and vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee. Shah, a physician, made health care a central part of his campaign.
The Cook Political Report called the campaign a major failure.
that Ranked 7th in the country in terms of spending He raised $17 million for the House race.
Voters in the district faced a barrage of election mail messages about the Grand Canyon State's two biggest issues: the economy and the border.
Home to Arizona's most affluent voters, this district includes the luxurious Phoenix suburbs of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
The district is also one of the most competitive state legislative seats, and voters in the region will hold the levers to determine which party controls the battleground state of Arizona at the state and national level.
