NRCC launches a hard-hitting digital ad accusing Amish Shah of embracing socialist allies and policies that, they say, threaten Arizona families and public safety.

The National Republican Congressional Committee released a paid digital ad today targeting Amish Shah, the Democrat who won the primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. The ad points to Shah’s association with the Democratic Socialists of America and his activity at a 2019 event where he supported Bernie Sanders. It frames Shah as aligned with the progressive Squad and critical of the current economic system.

NRCC messaging stresses Shah’s ties to the Democratic Socialists of America and highlights public signs of his leftward tilt, writing that he praised the Squad’s movement inside the Democratic Party. The committee points to Shah’s public endorsements and appearances as evidence he embraces far-left allies rather than mainstream Democrats.

Shah previously ran for Congress in 2024 and, by NRCC accounts, did not perform as strongly as other Democrats on the ballot, such as Kamala Harris and Ruben Gallego. According to reporting cited by the committee, Shah has decided to shift even further left in this cycle rather than move toward the center. He admitted in May, “I’m not hesitating one bit to use, you know, my platform to be able to prosecute as vigorously as I can sometimes with, you know, expletives and whatever it takes” because President Trump is “horrible.”

The NRCC ad lists specific policy claims about Shah and presses them as risks for everyday families, including a projected $4,000 tax increase per household. The spot accuses Shah of supporting sanctuary policies for criminal illegal aliens and of voting against funding for border security and police. It also alleges Shah opposed requiring child sex offenders to register online and voted for early release for dangerous criminals.

“Socialist Amish Shah,” the ad says. “He’s with AOC, Ilhan Omar … The Squad. Amish Shah would raise taxes by $4,000 per year on every family, and give sanctuary to criminal illegal aliens. Shah voted against border security funding, against police funding, and against requiring child sex offenders to register online. Shah even voted for early release for dangerous criminals. Socialist Amish Shah: too extreme, too dangerous for us.”

Democrats are now left to weigh whether to bankroll a nominee the NRCC labels unpalatable to moderates. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and its allies reportedly spent $4.5 million trying to stop Shah in the primary, and internal signals suggest party leaders had concerns about his electability. Shah spent primary night and reportedly joked about hoping for endorsement support over his Republican opponent, Jay Feely.

https://x.com/bennpetersen/status/2079951084118835416

Party operatives and outlets noted the bruising primary left Shah in a difficult position heading into the general election, with at least one report saying the outcome left him “bloodied” and “broke.” Shah has acknowledged that some DCCC leaders preferred a different, more electable candidate. That dynamic has left open the question of whether national Democrats will back him with the funds needed to win a competitive general race.

On the GOP side, Jay Feely claimed the primary night win with almost half of the vote and drew positive attention from conservative pundits and analysts . Pollster Mike Noble called Feely “one of the best Republican candidates in the state right now.” Political consultant said Feely is a “dynamic & attractive candidate” and that Shah will “end up in second place.”

The NRCC framed the ad as a warning to Arizona voters about the stakes in the district, and the statement from their spokesperson was blunt. “Socialist Amish Shah would take Arizona down a costly, dangerous path,” said NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen. “Socialist Shah backed enormous tax hikes on every Arizona household, demanded a socialist government takeover of health care and voted at the State Capitol to put our families in danger from criminals, drug cartels, and child sex offenders.”

With control of the House at stake, both sides are now testing how much midterm energy and money will flow into Arizona’s 1st District. Republicans are using the NRCC ad to frame Shah as the face of the leftward shift within the Democratic coalition, while Democrats must decide whether to invest in a nominee some in their own party see as vulnerable. The general election will reveal whether that strategy works or backfires in a competitive swing district.