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Amish Shah accuses AIPAC-backed super PACs of trying to sway Arizona primary
Indian American congressional candidate says more than $1 million in outside spending is funding "false attacks" against his campaign.
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Avani Acharya - Mon, 20, Jul 2026
- 17:25 EDT
- 229
Amish Shah / File Photo
Before Arizona Democrats head to the polls for the July 21 primary, Indian American congressional candidate Amish Shah has accused Washington insiders and super PACs backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) of attempting to sway the race through millions of dollars in outside spending.
'In these final days, the D.C. establishment and AIPAC-backed super PACs are trying to buy this election. Just this week, they've spent more than a million dollars on false attack ads in a desperate attempt to defeat our campaign," Shah, who is seeking the party's nomination in the first congressional district, said in a social media post just a day before the July 21 primary.
I have always run grassroots campaigns based on meeting voters and hearing their concerns. But in the final week of this primary the DC establishment and AIPAC-backed super PACs are trying to steal this election with millions in dark money spending. Just this week two Super PACs… pic.twitter.com/REWKZYOivz
— Amish Shah, MD (@DrAmishShah) July 19, 2026
The remarks come as outside groups have intensified spending in one of the state's most closely watched Democratic primaries. Several television advertisements have targeted Shah over legislation they claim would have permitted conversion therapy in Arizona. However, LGBTQ+ advocates who helped draft the bill have said it was intended to ban the practice, and Shah has denied the allegations.
Also Read: Arizona primary fight erupts over Amish Shah's LGBTQ+ bill
The primary has also highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party. National party leaders have thrown their support behind Marlene Galán-Woods, a former Republican-turned-Democrat, over Shah, despite his being the party's nominee for the district in 2024.
Shah's campaign spokesperson, Colin Lauderdale, has criticized the endorsement, describing Galán-Woods as a "lifelong Republican" and accusing her of backing anti-LGBTQ+ politicians before changing parties.
According to The New York Times, AIPAC-backed outside groups have spent millions of dollars in the race supporting Galán-Woods, while another political action committee backing progressive candidate Jonathan Treble has spent nearly $300,000 on advertisements opposing Shah.
"Now, they can spend millions, but they don't get to decide who represents Arizona's 1st District. You do. And if you believe this election should be decided by voters, not by outside money, I would be honoured to earn your vote," Shah said in his final appeal to voters.
The winner of the July 21 Democratic primary will advance to the November general election in Arizona's 1st Congressional District, a key battleground seat that Democrats hope to flip.
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