Arizona GOP Rep. David Schweikert fends off challenge from Democrat Amish Shah in 7th-priciest House race

PHOENIX — GOP Rep. David Schweikert has held onto his Arizona seat after a tough challenge from Democratic former state Rep. Amish Shah.

Schweikert leads Shah 51.9% to 48.1% with 85% of the 1st Congressional District’s votes counted, Decision Desk HQ reports.

Schweikert has served in the House of Representatives since 2011, and Shah beat a crowded primary field this cycle to take on the sitting Republican.

Schweikert is a fiscal hawk and vice chair of the Joint Economic Committee. Shah, a physician, made health care a centerpiece of his campaign. 

Former Arizona state Rep. Amish Shah tried to flip his congressional district blue. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cook Political Report rated the race a toss-up.

It ranked No. 7 in the country for spending on a House race, at $17 million raised.

Voters in the district faced a barrage of campaign mailers messaging on the economy and the border, the two top issues in the Grand Canyon State.

Home to Arizona’s most affluent voters, the district includes the ritzy Phoenix suburbs of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. 

The district also holds one of the most hotly contested state legislative seats, which leaves voters in the area pulling the levers that’ll decide which party will control swing-state Arizona at the state and national level.