PHOENIX — Republican David Schweikert has successfully secured an eighth term in Congress, overcoming a challenge from Democrat Amish Shah, a former state lawmaker and emergency room physician.

Schweikert triumphed in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses the affluent regions of north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Paradise Valley.

Although Republicans have traditionally enjoyed an advantage in voter registration within the district, the political landscape began shifting towards the center following Donald Trump’s 2016 election. This change led to some long-time Republican supporters casting their votes for Democrats or choosing not to vote at all.

The redistricting process prior to the 2022 midterm elections intensified this trend, sparking optimism among Democrats regarding the possibility of unseating Schweikert. He has built a reputation for his strong opposition to government debt.

In 2022, Schweikert narrowly won reelection by a margin of just 3,200 votes against a relatively obscure Democratic opponent, who benefitted from minimal support from national Democratic organizations. The upcoming race for the seat in 2024 is expected to be highly competitive once again.

Recently, Schweikert’s standing has been affected by several ethics controversies. In 2022, he was hit with a significant fine of $125,000 by the Federal Election Commission due to the misappropriation of campaign funds. Additionally, in 2020, he reached a settlement agreeing to pay a $50,000 fine and accept responsibility for 11 violations of campaign finance laws after a review by the U.S. House Committee on Ethics.

On the other hand, Shah, who emerged as the leading candidate among a diverse field of six Democrats, campaigned on key issues such as enhancing affordability in housing and healthcare.