Overview
- The Associated Press called the race for Shah on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, giving him a clear lead over Republican Jay Feely and making him the first Democrat in years to represent the north Valley seat.
- Shah is an emergency room doctor and former state lawmaker who declared victory and pledged to work in a bipartisan way and represent all constituents, whether they voted for him or not.
- He won the Democratic primary last July over Marlene Galán-Woods despite heavy spending from national party groups that opposed him, then ran a general election campaign focused on lowering health care costs, affordability and water policy.
- Feely, a former NFL kicker who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement and a fundraising advantage, lost in a cycle when Republicans struggled to defend a fragile majority across many battleground districts.
- The seat was open after Rep. David Schweikert ran for governor, and Shah’s flip of CD1 tightens Democratic control in Congress and could shape federal attention to local issues like healthcare costs, water management and the region’s economy.