--- title: "Shah vs. Feely: 2026 Arizona’s 1st District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-az-01" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Arizona’s 1st District race: Amish Shah (D) vs. Jay Feely (R) Rating: Toss-up · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 Arizona's 1st Congressional District is an open-seat battleground created by 15-year Republican incumbent David Schweikert's decision to run for governor. The November 2026 general election features Democratic nominee Amish Shah, an emergency room physician and former state representative, against Republican nominee Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker and CBS sports analyst. The matchup hinges on swing voters in a district that supported Donald Trump in 2024 but elected Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, pitting Shah's bipartisan state legislative record against Feely's conservative 'America First' platform. ## Candidates - **Amish Shah** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.amishforarizona.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) - **Jay Feely** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.jayfeelyforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ## Issues ### Economy & Cost of Living Salience: high Shah seeks to lower costs by rolling back tariffs and cutting taxes for middle-class families, whereas Feely proposes extending Trump-era tax cuts, slashing regulations, and cutting national spending. **Amish Shah:** Lowers costs and opposes tariffs Shah attributes rising living costs to housing, grocery, and healthcare inflation, arguing that federal tariffs act as a tax on Arizona families. He highlights his state legislative record cutting taxes for middle-class families and small businesses, pledging to roll back tariffs to spur economic investment. - Roll back federal tariffs on everyday imported goods - Lower essential living costs including housing, groceries, and gas - Cut taxes for middle-class families and support local small businesses > “These tariffs are a tax on Arizona families that will raise costs on groceries, gas, cars, and housing, hurt small businesses, and hurt our economy.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** Slashes regulations and extends tax cuts Feely argues that Biden-era inflation and excessive government spending have placed the American Dream out of reach for working families. He proposes expanding Trump-era tax cuts, slashing federal regulations, unleashing domestic manufacturing, and reducing the national debt. - Expand Trump-era tax cuts for families and businesses - Slash federal regulations red tape to encourage economic growth - Unleash domestic manufacturing and curb national debt > “In Congress, I’ll fight to slash red tape, expand Trump-era tax cuts, unleash domestic manufacturing, and drive down inflation.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Border Security & Immigration Salience: high Shah focuses border policy on stopping fentanyl trafficking and supporting police, while Feely advocates finishing the border wall and enacting mass deportations of violent offenders. **Amish Shah:** Combats fentanyl and border drug trafficking Shah addresses border security primarily through public safety and substance abuse prevention, citing his ER experience with drug overdoses. He pledges federal action to curb illicit drug trafficking and stop fentanyl from crossing the southern border. - Stop the flow of illicit fentanyl and dangerous drugs across the southern border - Support police officers and first responders handling drug crimes - Work across party lines on targeted public safety and border enforcement solutions > “In Congress, he’ll continue to work to keep our communities safe by taking action to reduce gun violence, fully funding our police, and stopping the flow of fentanyl across the border.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** Finishes border wall and supports deportations Feely strongly criticizes Biden-era open-border policies and pledges to restore Trump-era border security measures. He commits to completing the border wall, backing mass deportations of violent offenders, fully funding Border Patrol and ICE, and eradicating fentanyl. - Finish construction of the southern border wall - Support mass deportations of violent illegal immigrants - Provide full funding and support for Border Patrol, ICE, and law enforcement agencies > “In Congress, I’ll fight to finish the wall, dismantle the Biden/Harris open-borders agenda, and deliver results.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Water & Environment Salience: medium Shah opposes building water-intensive data centers in the district and seeks federal drought funding, while Feely focuses on protecting Arizona water rights for local farmers and ranchers. **Amish Shah:** Protects water supply and opposes data centers Shah emphasizes addressing Arizona's severe drought by securing federal infrastructure funding and defending Arizona's fair share of the Colorado River. He explicitly opposes constructing water-heavy AI data centers in the district, accusing his opponent of backing them. - Deliver federal infrastructure resources to help communities and Tribes build drought resilience - Defend Arizona's equitable share of Colorado River allocations - Block construction of water-intensive AI data centers in District 1 > “And he will work to stop data centers from being built in our district, unlike his opponent who wants to build them here.” > — Amish Shah, via [Campaign site](https://www.amishforarizona.com) **Jay Feely:** Protects Arizona water rights Feely pledges to defend Arizona's local water supply against out-of-control federal mandates. He emphasizes protecting water access for agricultural producers, ranchers, and local communities. - Protect Arizona water supplies from federal overreach - Support water access for local farmers and ranchers > “That means protecting our water, standing up for our farmers and ranchers, defending our Second Amendment rights, and stopping out-of-control federal mandates that hurt our families, small businesses, and schools.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Education Salience: medium Shah calls for increased federal funding for public schools and higher teacher pay, while Feely opposes federal education mandates on local schools. **Amish Shah:** Increases public school funding and teacher pay Shah emphasizes supporting public education by increasing federal funding for public K-12 schools and boosting teacher pay. He commits to defending the U.S. Department of Education and reducing post-secondary education costs and student debt. - Defend the U.S. Department of Education against spending cuts or elimination - Increase federal investment in public K-12 schools and teacher compensation - Lower higher education tuition costs and reduce student loan burdens > “In Congress, Amish will defend the Department of Education, champion increased funding for public schools, and push for better teacher pay.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** Opposes federal education mandates Feely advocates reducing federal influence in education to protect local family and school board autonomy. He opposes federal mandates that interfere with local school operations. - Stop out-of-control federal mandates on local public schools - Protect local family and community authority over school decision-making > “That means protecting our water, standing up for our farmers and ranchers, defending our Second Amendment rights, and stopping out-of-control federal mandates that hurt our families, small businesses, and schools.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Public Safety & Gun Rights Salience: medium Shah emphasizes gun violence reduction alongside law enforcement funding, while Feely focuses on defending Second Amendment rights and backing police and border agents. **Amish Shah:** Reduces gun violence and fully funds police As an ER doctor, Shah combines support for law enforcement funding with policies to reduce gun violence. He highlights his state legislative support for first responders and his endorsements from major police labor unions. - Fully fund law enforcement agencies and police departments - Enact measures to reduce community gun violence - Endorsed by law enforcement unions including CLEAA and Phoenix Police Sergeants & Lieutenants Association > “In Congress, he’ll continue to work to keep our communities safe by taking action to reduce gun violence, fully funding our police, and stopping the flow of fentanyl across the border.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** Defends Second Amendment and backs police Feely pledges to defend gun owners' constitutional rights while fully backing local police officers and federal law enforcement. He frames gun rights as essential to personal safety and individual liberty. - Defend Second Amendment gun rights against federal restrictions - Fully back local police, Border Patrol, and ICE agents > “That means protecting our water, standing up for our farmers and ranchers, defending our Second Amendment rights, and stopping out-of-control federal mandates that hurt our families, small businesses, and schools.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Healthcare & Senior Programs Salience: high **Amish Shah:** Expands coverage and protects Medicare and Social Security As an emergency room physician, Shah advocates universal healthcare access, expanded coverage, and lower prescription drug costs like insulin. He opposes cuts to Medicaid and promises to protect Social Security and Medicare against Republican retirement age increases or benefit reductions. - Protect Medicare and Social Security against benefit cuts and age increases - Reverse recent Medicaid cuts and expand healthcare coverage access - Lower prescription drug costs and challenge pharmaceutical price gouging > “As an emergency physician, Dr. Shah witnesses firsthand the struggles of patients who cannot afford the care they need.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** No documented position in our sources ### Abortion & Reproductive Rights Salience: high **Amish Shah:** Codifies Roe v. Wade and protects mifepristone Shah maintains a 100% pro-choice legislative voting record and advocates for reproductive freedom. In the state legislature, he crossed party lines to protect access to mifepristone, and in Congress, he pledges to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. - Codify Roe v. Wade to protect federal abortion access - Protect access to reproductive medications like mifepristone - Personally collected 1,200+ signatures for the Arizona Abortion Access Ballot Initiative > “Dr. Shah has a 100% pro-choice voting record, and he will continue protecting a woman’s right to choose in Congress by codifying Roe v. Wade.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** No documented position in our sources ### Democracy & Rule of Law Salience: medium **Amish Shah:** Protects election integrity and ends gerrymandering Shah strongly condemns attempts to cast doubt on election results and subvert democratic processes. In Congress, he promises to stand against partisan gerrymandering, ban dark money, stop political self-enrichment, and protect judicial independence. - End partisan gerrymandering and combat dark money in political campaigns - Stop corrupt politicians from enriching themselves in public office - Defend the Constitution and court decisions against executive overreach > “In Congress, Dr. Shah will stand up for the rule of law.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** No documented position in our sources ### Energy Policy Salience: medium **Amish Shah:** No documented position in our sources **Jay Feely:** Supports America-First energy independence Feely supports President Trump's energy policy, advocating for the expansion of domestic oil, natural gas, and clean coal development. He aims to lower consumer utility costs and eliminate Green New Deal regulations. - Unleash domestic oil, natural gas, and clean coal energy production - Cut federal energy regulations and streamline infrastructure construction - Reject Green New Deal policies to lower energy costs for families > “I proudly support President Trump’s America-First energy agenda—and I’ll work to unleash the full power of American oil, natural gas, clean coal, and the next generation of innovation.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Transgender Rights & Gender in Sports Salience: low **Amish Shah:** No documented position in our sources **Jay Feely:** Protects women's sports titles Feely opposes allowing transgender females to compete in biological women's sports categories, calling it an issue of fairness. Drawing on his background as a professional athlete and parent, he pledges federal legislation restricting female sports competitions to biological females. - Codify federal protections for girls' and women's sports categories - Restrict female athletic titles and competitions to biological females > “In Congress, I will fight to protect girls’ and women’s sports by codifying common-sense laws that ensure fair competition and keep women's titles out of men's hands.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Foreign Policy & Israel Salience: low **Amish Shah:** No documented position in our sources **Jay Feely:** Unapologetically stands with Israel Feely strongly advocates for the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance, citing his visits to the region. He commits to combating antisemitism on college campuses and restoring Trump-era diplomatic support for Israel. - Strengthen U.S. military and diplomatic alliance with Israel - Combat antisemitism on university campuses - Restore Trump-era foreign policy commitment to Middle East allies > “In Congress, I will stand unapologetically with Israel and fight to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.” > — Jay Feely, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Feely) ### Animal Welfare Salience: low **Amish Shah:** Cracks down on animal cruelty Shah actively promotes animal welfare legislation, pointing to state house work banning cat declawing, tackling puppy mills, and halting kangaroo part sales. In Congress, he aims to end horse slaughter, puppy mills, and crude testing on primates and dogs. - Ban puppy mills, horse slaughter for human consumption, and staged animal fighting - Promote human-relevant biomedical research to replace testing on dogs and primates - Protect state and local authority to restrict factory farming practices > “This nation should never tolerate cruelty to animals. All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food.” > — Amish Shah, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Amish_Shah) **Jay Feely:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/az-01-house-election-winner) — AZ-01 House Election Winner: Democrats 80.5%, Republicans 18.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/HOUSEAZ1-26) — AZ-01 House winner?: Amish Shah 83.0%, Jay Feely 17.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-az-01)