U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz, has taken a lead against a former Democratic state representative in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.

After falling behind early Tuesday night to Amish Shah, Schweikert has taken the lead Wednesday with more votes in the race being counted.

Schweikert has received 50.8% of votes over Shah’s 49.2% by approximately 9:45 a.m.

The two candidates are running to represent Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Before the election, it had been predicted as one of the most competitive races in the country.

Schweikert has served in Congress since 2011, and Democrats have gradually narrowed his margin of victory in election cycles. In 2022, Schweikert narrowly defeated Democrat Jevin Hodge by just under 1% of votes.

The district leans Republican by about 2.6% of a vote spread, according to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

Shah made it through a six-race primary election to challenge Schweikert as Democrats are heavily targeting Schweikert’s seat.

During his time at the state legislature from 2019 to 2024, Shah was known for reaching across the aisle and had a good relationship with several Republicans at the state House.

Shah resigned during the 2024 legislative session to focus on his congressional run but got the most bills signed through Republican majorities in both chambers with a Republican Gov. Doug Ducey prior to 2023 than any other Democrat in over a decade.

Schweikert, vice chairman of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, has been the subject of House Ethics Committee investigations for campaign finance violations.

In 2023, Schweikert left the Freedom Caucus and told Punchbowl News he didn’t want to associate with the “more populist” Arizona Freedom Caucus, which he said voters in his district might think he’s with them.