AZ-01: Democrats who faced off in 2024 compete again for Arizona's 1st Congressional District

Marlene Galán-Woods, Rick McCartney, Amish Shah, and Jonathan Treble are running in the Democratic primary for Arizona's 1st Congressional District on July 21. Galán-Woods and Shah lead in endorsements and media attention. Incumbent David Schweikert (R) is running for governor of Arizona.

Having voted for former President Joe Biden (D) in 2020 and President Donald Trump (R) in 2024, the district is one of the most competitive in the country and a top Democratic target in 2026. As of May 11, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball all rate the 1st District a toss-up.

12 News' Kevin Reagan writes, "Republicans have a significant advantage over Democrats in the party's number of registered voters in CD1. But the district has over 180,000 non-affiliated voters who could sway the election's outcome." AZ Central's Laura Gersony adds that the district "has historically preferred more moderate political figures."

Galán-Woods is a former broadcast journalist. Her campaign website says she is "running for Congress to stand up to extremists and be a voice for all Arizonans. She will be the courageous, truthful leader Arizona’s first district deserves." Galán-Woods switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party in 2018. In 2024, she said, "I have always been pro-choice, pro-democracy, pro-climate. My values have never changed. What changed was the Republican party."



https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/05/13/two-democrats-who-faced-off-in-2024-compete-again-for-arizonas-1st-congressional-district/