AZ-01: House Republican fights for his political life in Arizona swing district
Rep. Dave Schweikert (R-Ariz.) is fighting for his political life in a key Arizona swing district, in what observers say will likely be the most competitive race of his years-long career.
Schweikert, who has represented parts of Phoenix and Scottsdale for over a decade, is running against Democrat Amish Shah as he looks to secure his eighth term representing a district that has come to be seen as an important bellwether due to the area’s high percentage of college-educated suburban voters.
After narrowly winning reelection in 2022, Schweikert is looking to harness energy from having former President Trump at the top of the ticket this go-round. But some political observers point to an abortion ballot measure, controversy surrounding Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake and the general changing dynamics of the district as factors that could work against the incumbent.
“It’s a district that has been Republican, but always we’ve looked at it as a district that’s moving into that Democratic category, highly competitive,” said Chuck Coughlin, an Arizona-based political strategist, noting that Shah could benefit from high youth turnout thanks to the presidential race.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4933071-schweikert-fight-key-arizona/