Indian-American physician Amish Shah has won a seat in the US House of Representatives from Arizona.
He is the first member of the Indian-American community to represent the state in Congress.
Decision Desk HQ called the race on the evening of Wednesday, November 4. The Economic Times reported this.
Earlier vote counts told a different story.
INDIA New England News reported that Shah was leading with about 54.9 per cent when about 76 per cent of ballots were counted.
No winner had been projected at that point.
Key points
- Democrat Amish Shah won Arizona's First Congressional District.
- Shah received 52.49 per cent of the vote. Jay Feely received 45.45 per cent.
- He is the sixth Indian-American elected to the US House.
- The seat was held by Republicans and now moves to the Democrats.
So how did the race play out?
Jay Feely is a former National Football League player. President Donald Trump backed him in the race.
After the result, Shah posted on X. He called it the honour of a lifetime to be the district's next congressman.
He also said he would represent everyone in the district, regardless of how they voted. He congratulated his rival.
During the campaign, Shah spoke about healthcare costs, rising living costs, Arizona's water crisis and economic growth.
His campaign credited a strong door-to-door effort. Indian American Impact said he knocked on more than 28,000 doors.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Who is Amish Shah?
Shah was born in Chicago. His parents came from Gujarat and moved to the United States in the 1960s.
He studied at Northwestern University.
He later earned a master's degree in public health at the University of California, Berkeley.
Before politics, he worked as an emergency room physician.
He entered electoral politics in 2018, when he won a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives.
So why does this matter for Indian-American voters?
INDIA New England News reported that Shah's win would further expand Indian-American representation in Congress.
Several other Indian-American candidates also did well in the same midterm elections.
Some lost, including Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio's governor race.
Sources
- The Economic Times: Amish Shah claims victory in Arizona congressional seat, 6th Indian-American in US House; becomes first from community to represent state
- UA.NEWS: Amish Shah claims victory in Arizona congressional election — The Hindu
- INDIA New England News: Indian Americans Score Major Victories in U.S. Midterm Elections as Amish Shah Leads Arizona Congressional Race
