Former NFL Player Wins GOP Congressional Primary

Former NFL kicker Jay Feely won the GOP primary to represent Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.

Feely, who played 14 seasons in the NFL with six teams, easily won the Republican nomination after securing an endorsement from President Trump.

Although the Democratic primary remains too close to call, state lawmaker Amish Shah is the frontrunner.

Congratulations @JayFeely on a massive primary win tonight in AZ-01!

Jay is a valley icon and a great husband & father. We are ready to get to work to win in AZ-01! pic.twitter.com/pawPcMXf8f

— Turning Point Action (@TPAction) July 22, 2026

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Fox News shared further:

Feely will face the winner of a still-uncalled Democrat primary between former state Rep. Amish Shah and former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods in the general election.

“Why did I decide to run for office? It is a desire to leave this country better for our children and our grandchildren,” Feely told his supporters at his victory celebration. “That’s it in its core.

“You know, what we’re doing is fighting for the future of this country. I truly believe that. When you look at the two parties, they’ve never been further apart ideologically. Never. And the Democrat Party has embraced Democratic socialism.

“They have chosen to move further to the left. They are talking about abolishing the border. They’re talking about abolishing the police department. They are talking about abolishing the Senate now. They want to get D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood.

“The things that they are talking about are changing the very foundation of this country, and what has made it great for 250 years. And we’re not going to let it happen.”

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“An unexpected twist is taking center stage in an Arizona congressional race. Republican Jay Feely, the former NFL kicker, is advancing to November’s election and is now on track to face Democrat Amish Shah in one of the country’s most closely watched House races. The surprising connection? Shah was Feely’s team doctor when he played for the New York Jets,” Fox News wrote.

“Now, the former kicker and his former team doctor appear headed for a congressional showdown in Arizona’s 1st District — one of the nation’s most competitive House battlegrounds and one of the wealthiest districts in the state, spanning much of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills and north Phoenix,” it continued.

An unexpected twist is taking center stage in an Arizona congressional race.

Republican Jay Feely, the former NFL kicker, is advancing to November's election and is now on track to face Democrat Amish Shah in one of the country's most closely watched House races.

The surprising… pic.twitter.com/ppsSEBZChI

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 22, 2026

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Arizona Mirror has more:

Shah was the Democratic nominee in 2024, though he lost to Schwiekert, 52%-48%. In 2022, Schweikert squeaked by and defeated Democrat Jevin Hodge by just 3,200 votes.

The midterm elections are a top priority for Republicans and Democrats alike. Republicans are hoping to maintain their majority with few seats to lose. The party currently has a 219-212 majority over Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The National Republican Congressional Committee celebrated Feely’s win.

“As a former NFL player, business leader and charity founder, Jay Feely understands the Valley needs fiscally conservative leadership so every Arizonan can prosper and live the American Dream,” NRCC spokesperson Ben Petersen said in a statement. “That’s why Arizonans will send Jay Feely to fight the tax-and-spend politicians in Washington D.C., lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing and protect our public safety and quality of life.”

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