Trump Allies Spending Millions To Defeat Amish Shah In Arizona Race

WASHINGTON, DC- Democrat Amish Shah is facing Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker and longtime friend and golf partner of President Donald Trump, in a closely contested Arizona congressional race as Trump and his allies make a late push to boost Feely’s campaign.

Trump and his allies are mounting a last-minute effort to support Feely in the battleground district, Politico reported on October 23 in a story headlined “Meet Trump’s favorite House Republican candidate”.

Trump considers Feely a strong candidate, having known the former Arizona Cardinals kicker for decades. Republican groups have spent more than $22 million to support Feely, much of it in the final weeks of the campaign.

Shah, an emergency room physician and former Arizona legislator, lost to Republican David Schweikert by 3.8 percentage points in the district in 2024. The district includes Scottsdale, parts of northeast Phoenix, Fountain Hills and Cave Creek.

Feely, a longtime Gilbert resident, switched from the 5th Congressional District race to the 1st District at Trump’s urging.

Despite the district’s Republican registration advantage, the Cook Political Report rates the race “lean Democratic”, while Inside Elections rates it “tilt Democratic.” Republicans account for 38 per cent of registered voters, compared with 35 per cent who are independents or registered with other parties and more than 26 per cent who are Democrats.

“If independents show up in big numbers, it favors Shah. If they don’t, it favors Feely,” pollster Marcus Dell’Artino said to the Arizona Capitol Times.

Federal filings show substantial outside spending on both sides. The MAGA Inc.-funded Safety & Affordability PAC has spent $5.72 million opposing Shah, while the House Majority PAC has spent $4.41 million opposing Feely. (IANS)