Trump-backed former NFL kicker Jay Feely wins CD1 GOP primary as Amish Shah leads Dem field

Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker who played for the Arizona Cardinals, has advanced to the November election, where it seems likely he will face off against former Democratic state lawmaker Amish Shah in one of the most closely watched races in the country, where Democrats are hoping to win a seat they’ve long targeted. 

Congressional District 1 is the state’s wealthiest district, spanning large swaths of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills and north and central Phoenix. It is also one of the state’s most competitive. Although it leans red, it has been a high priority for Democrats, particularly now, with an unpopular President Donald Trump threatening to drag down GOP candidates in this year’s midterms. 

This year, with veteran U.S. Rep. David Schweikert leaving the seat vacant to run for governor, national Democrats are hoping to capitalize and win a seat that has long been a top target. Schweikert lost badly to Congressman Andy Biggs in the Republican race for governor. 

The four-way Democratic primary election in Congressional District 1 was widely expected to come down to a contest between Shah, an emergency room physician, and Marlene Galán-Woods, a former television news anchor. Tuesday night, Shah was leading Galán-Woods by nearly 10 percentage points, or about 5,700 votes. 

The Republican primary was a three-way affair, with Feely defeating former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik, who represented Scottsdale in the Arizona House of Representatives for six years, and businessman John Troubough. The Associated Press called the race for Feely shortly after the first batches of ballot returns were released Tuesday night. 

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.”