Where Schweikert, Shah stand on issues

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The Arizona Republic sent a brief questionnaire before the primary election to all the candidates in Arizona's 1st Congressional District, which stretches across much of northeastern Maricopa County.

They were asked about their positions on a variety of issues.

Amish Shah beat out five others in the Democratic primary.

Incumbent David Schweikert beat out two others in the Republican primary.

They will face off in the Nov. 5 election.

Shah responded to The Republic's survey, but Schweikert has yet to respond. His answers will be included if received.

Amish Shah, Democrat Congressional District 1 candidate Amish Shah gives opening remarks during a debate with fellow Democratic primary candidates at BitFire Studio in Phoenix on May 15, 2024. Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Name two big problems facing the district you’re running to represent and how you would address them if elected. I have knocked on thousands of doors to listen to voters over the last seven years. Two of their biggest concerns include healthcare and education.

I have worked as an E.R. doctor for 20 years, and I currently practice at the Mayo Clinic in the heart of our district. Americans pay more for healthcare than any other country, and we leave people uninsured. Even with insurance, patients face medical debt and bureaucratic hassle. I support universal coverage and lower costs, including for prescriptions.

I also believe in fully funding Arizona’s public schools, including early childhood education. Arizona ranks in the bottom tier for teacher pay and per-pupil expenditure.

I am the only Democrat in this race who has won an election in Arizona. In the State House, I was able to pass bills to address these issues in a bipartisan manner, and I hope to do the same in Washington.

Which recent political figure do you most admire, and why? President Barack Obama comes to mind immediately. Simply put, I felt that he cared about all Americans, regardless of policy differences. He was thoughtful, and he led with hope and positivity. He sought out the perspectives of those who disagreed with him to develop a thorough understanding of the problems facing our nation. He famously forged a working relationship with John Boehner, the former Republican Speaker of the House.

He started his career as a grassroots organizer and helped people in his community advocate for themselves. I believe we can return to working with each other instead of against each other to build an enduring movement for meaningful bipartisan engagement.

What specific actions, if any, should Congress take to make life more affordable for ordinary Arizonans? We can start by increasing the availability of affordable housing. Construction of more housing units can lower the high rent costs in the Valley, as demand far exceeds supply here. I would support federal incentives for affordable housing projects and simplification of approval processes for new developments in Arizona. These policies would in turn reduce homelessness.

As above, healthcare costs are also a significant monthly expense for most households. Federal action can lower the cost of coverage and pharmaceuticals, and I intend to make that a priority.

Finally, many working or low-income households struggle with the cost and availability of childcare and caregivers for seniors, the disabled, and vulnerable adults. We should offer greater support for working parents and those who cannot easily care for themselves.

What specific actions, if any, should Congress take to reform federal immigration policy? My parents are immigrants from India, and I believe America benefits from legal immigration.

However, the Southern border is in crisis, and we must secure the border immediately. We have three main groups of people to address: First, we can expedite permits for seasonal workers. The Arizona business community benefits from their economic contributions. Second, we have a surge of asylum seekers. Many are legitimately fleeing danger at home, but many are manipulating the process. The overwhelming volume of arrivals exceeds our processing capacity, and we must sharply curtail system abuse.

Finally, a small number are engaged in the drug trade or human trafficking. These individuals should be prosecuted or deported. Border Patrol must have the resources to remove threats to the public.

The recent bipartisan border bill was a good first step toward reform. I would add to it a pathway forward for DACA recipients and Dreamers.

What do you believe is the biggest threat to national security, and how should we handle it? On the international stage, Vladimir Putin's actions are alarming, particularly his willingness to escalate nuclear tensions and devalue democratic norms. His aggressions destabilize regional security and threaten global peace. Putin’s government has also played a central role in the massive spread of disinformation, which interferes in public discourse and undermines societal trust.

In response, the United States should present a united front with our NATO allies through diplomacy and economic sanctions to counteract Putin's ambitions. We must maintain a hardline stance against his destructive war effort in Ukraine as well.

What would you change about the US’ response to climate change, if anything? Climate change is a threat to Arizona and the planet, and I support federal action to conserve the natural world for our descendants. In just my lifetime, we have witnessed the acceleration of extreme weather events, loss of wildlife habitat, extinction of countless species, and a significant threat to Arizona’s water supply from dwindling snowpack in the Rocky Mountains. I would support federal policies that reduce carbon emissions over the long term to address the root cause.

Arizona has the potential to harness solar power in a way that no other state can. We can choose to make investments into our infrastructure to generate cheap clean energy, reduce costs for consumers, and provide high-paying jobs for Arizonans. I would work to bring federal dollars to our state for these types of projects.

Do you feel confident that the 2024 election will be held securely and fairly? If not, what are your concerns? I am confident that the 2024 election will be held securely and fairly, especially here in Arizona. We have a long history of conducting free and fair elections overseen by dedicated bipartisan poll workers. Arizonans benefit from a variety of voting methods, including mail-in ballots.

Those that cast doubt on our election outcomes without evidence erode trust in our democratic process.

I dedicated my time in the legislature to defeating every bill that attempted to create unnecessary obstacles to voting or limit voters’ ability to participate legally.

Please take this opportunity to mention any other important issue you’d like to discuss. Many Americans feel that our country is too divided. Some even express fear and distrust of their neighbors. Many suffer from isolation and loneliness. I have attempted to tackle this head-on by hitting the pavement and speaking with constituents directly, regardless of party affiliation. Our campaign is centered on individual engagement, door by door.

Our grassroots approach has paid off. I have passed 12 bills into law, more than any Arizona Democrat in over a decade. I have earned 22 local endorsements and dozens of awards for the quality of service, including 2022 Women’s Health Champion / Legislator of the Year for protecting reproductive rights.

Finally, I pride myself in being one of Arizona’s foremost legislators for pets and wildlife. I worked to protect animals with bills to limit late-night fireworks, ban cat declawing, and sourcing from puppy mills. I hope to do the same in Congress.

David Schweikert, Republican Rep. David Schweikert poses for a portrait on April 25, 2024, in Scottsdale.

U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., did not return Q&A responses. Schweikert has served seven terms in U.S. Congress.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: David Schweikert vs Amish Shah: Where the candidates stand

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