Jay Feely Enters Competitive Arizona Congressional Race in Scottsdale

Former Arizona Cardinals kicker and Republican political newcomer Jay Feely has dramatically shifted his 2026 congressional campaign, announcing he will now run in Arizona’s First Congressional District, a competitive seat that includes Scottsdale, north Phoenix, and Fountain Hills. The move marks a significant change from his earlier bid for the state’s Fifth Congressional District and reshapes the dynamics of a key Republican primary contest.

Feely, best known to Arizona sports fans for his years in the NFL and later work as a football analyst, originally filed to run in the Fifth District earlier in 2025. That seat, long held by Republican leadership and encompassing much of the East Valley, was seen as a solid GOP district. However, in recent weeks former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, entered that Fifth District race, prompting Feely to reconsider his options. Trump’s public encouragement for Feely to seek a different seat was likely a key factor in his decision to pivot into the First District contest.

In announcing the switch, Feely framed his decision in familiar football terms, saying that after nearly 25 years in professional football “no one player is more important than the well being of the team,” and that the best way he could serve the Republican Party was by defending what he called a crucial GOP seat.

Arizona’s First Congressional District has become one of the state’s most watched races for 2026. Long represented by U.S. Representative David Schweikert, a veteran Republican who recently announced a run for governor, the district is now open and highly contested. The district has swung more competitively in recent cycles, making it a priority for both parties as they vie for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Feely’s entry into the First District puts him in a crowded Republican primary field with state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik, businessman John Trobough, and Gina Swoboda, the chair of the Arizona Republican Party. Swoboda has secured Trump’s endorsement in the GOP primary, giving her a high-profile boost that may complicate Feely’s path, especially given the former president’s outsized influence within the GOP electorate.

The intra-party campaign has already generated some public tension. A consultant for Swoboda recently took aim at Feely’s candidacy, labeling him a “Gilbert carpetbagger” and predicting that Swoboda will prevail in the Republican primary. While such comments are typical of heated primaries, they underscore the challenge Feely faces in convincing conservative voters that he is the right choice in a competitive and visible race.

Feely’s campaign to this point has leaned into traditional conservative themes. On his official campaign website, he emphasizes strong border security, protecting individual freedoms, and supporting policies aligned with the former president’s America First agenda. His messaging draws on his public persona as a tough, disciplined competitor, one willing to take on entrenched interests for the sake of his team and community.

Yet the shift from the Fifth District to the First District highlights how fluid and unpredictable modern political campaigns can be, especially in a battleground state like Arizona. The First District is widely viewed by both Republicans and Democrats as a swing seat, and both parties have invested heavily in recruiting strong candidates to contest it. Some political analysts have noted that control of districts like this could be decisive in determining which party holds the House next year.

Feely’s name recognition from his sports career does give him an edge in terms of familiarity with voters, particularly among those who may not be as engaged with traditional political figures. But converting celebrity or public recognition into political success is never guaranteed, especially in a primary contest where policy commitments, grassroots support, and endorsements often carry significant weight.

The Republican primary for Arizona’s First Congressional District is scheduled for August 4, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026. As the race unfolds, observers will be watching how Feely’s late entry reshapes the GOP landscape, whether he can consolidate support against well-known party figures, and how conservative voters weigh legacy, experience, and ideological fidelity at a time of intense national political polarization.

Feely’s campaign adds yet another layer to what is already shaping up to be one of Arizona’s most competitive and consequential House races in recent memory, a contest that will test not just individual candidates but the broader direction of the Republican Party in the state.