Former NFL kicker Jay Feely won the Republican primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, securing the party's nomination in a competitive open-seat race. The victory positions Feely, who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, as the GOP candidate in a district seen as crucial for determining control of the House of Representatives.
Feely defeated former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and businessman John Trobough for the nomination. Trump had given Feely his "complete and total endorsement" in the final days of the campaign, calling him a "true America First conservative." The National Republican Congressional Committee also included Feely in its "MAGA Majority" program, designed to support candidates aligned with the America First platform in key districts.
The 1st Congressional District, which encompasses northeastern Maricopa County, including areas like Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Fountain Hills, is considered a battleground by both major parties. The seat was previously held by Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., who was running for governor but also lost his primary.
<![CDATA[IMAGE3]]>During the primary campaign, Feely faced criticism from Chaplik, who accused him of "importing Haitians." Feely, who has engaged in humanitarian work in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, defended his actions, stating he helped two young Haitian men he considers family members come to the U.S. He also stated his efforts were humanitarian and not political. Chaplik countered that Feely's history included opposing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
Feely will now face Democratic candidates in the general election. The leading Democratic contenders include former state lawmaker Amish Shah and former television news anchor Marlene Galán-Woods, along with Rick McCartney and Jonathan Treble.
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