Jain Indian American Democrat Amish Shah was closing in on a potential historic victory in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, with early election results showing him leading Republican Jay Feely in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
According to the Associated Press results cited in the available data, Shah had received 52.57% of the vote, or 163,584 votes, as counting continued. If he wins, Shah would become the first Indian American to represent Arizona in the U.S. Congress, marking a significant milestone for the Indian American community.
Shah, an emergency medicine physician and three-term former Arizona state representative, is challenging Feely, a former NFL kicker and sports broadcaster, for the seat previously held by Republican David Schweikert. The contest has attracted attention as Democrats seek to gain ground in the House of Representatives.
READ: Amish Shah wins Arizona Democratic primary for US House seat (July 22, 2026)
Beyond the electoral stakes, Shah’s candidacy highlights his connection to Jainism, the Indian religious tradition followed by his father, Satish Shah. Born and raised in Chicago to parents who immigrated from Gujarat, India, Shah grew up with a blend of Indian traditions and American influences. His mother is Hindu, and he attended Catholic schools throughout his childhood, exposing him to different religious and cultural perspectives.
Two Jain principles, Anekantavada and Ahimsa, have particular relevance to Shah’s outlook. Anekantavada teaches that truth has multiple dimensions and encourages people to consider different perspectives. Shah has connected this philosophy with his approach to public service, emphasizing listening to people with opposing views and finding common ground.
Ahimsa, which means nonviolence and avoiding harm to living beings, is another important principle of Jainism. Shah’s vegetarian lifestyle and interest in animal welfare reflect this influence. He also founded the Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival to promote plant-based eating.
Shah speaks Gujarati and has maintained ties to his Indian heritage while building a career in medicine and politics. He earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from Northwestern University and a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a licensed pilot who has used his flying skills to assist underserved communities.
Healthcare and the rising cost of living have been central to Shah’s campaign. He has called for lower health insurance premiums, reduced prescription drug costs and protections for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. He supports abortion rights and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and has criticized Trump-era tariffs, arguing that they raise costs for American families.
Shah has also raised concerns about the water and energy demands of data centers in Arizona, making the issue part of his broader focus on local economic and environmental priorities.
READ: What went wrong for Republicans? 7 reasons Democrats painted Congress blue (November 4, 2026)
During the campaign, Feely sought to portray Shah as too far to the left, pointing to his past praise for Senator Bernie Sanders and his positions on healthcare. Shah countered by criticizing Feely’s association with President Donald Trump, arguing that a Republican victory would continue federal policies that have increased financial pressure on households.
Shah has presented himself as a candidate focused on healthcare, affordability and bipartisan cooperation in a competitive suburban district. His emphasis on finding common ground also echoes the Jain principle of considering different viewpoints.
With Shah leading in the reported vote count, his race has become one to watch for Indian Americans. A victory would put an Indian American with Jain family roots in Congress from Arizona for the first time, bringing both his political campaign and his cultural heritage into the national spotlight.