NFL Kicker Wins GOP Primary for Key House Seat

Helped by funding from some of the biggest names in sports, former NFL kicker Jay Feely won the Republican Primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, keeping the Trump-backed nominee in a key race to determine which party controls the House of Representatives.Mr. Feely began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent in Atlanta and later kicked for the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears during a 14-year career. He joined the broadcast booth in 2015 and served as color analyst and sideline reporter until 2023.He announced his candidacy for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in April 2025 and was backed by donations from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NBA legend Charles Barkley, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, broadcaster Jim Nantz, Arizona Cardinals owners Michael, Nicole and Tim Bidwell, and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.Mr. Feely defeated former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and businessman John Trobough in the GOP election to replace Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., who was running for governor but lost in the Tuesday primary. Mr. Feely advances to the general election, hoping to represent Maricopa County and large parts of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills just outside Phoenix.“This seat is such an important seat,” Mr. Feeley said while making his victory speech. “There are three to five seats in the country that will determine who controls the House in November. This is one of those seats. It’s why I’m really excited to be in this race because it’s consequential. It’s going to determine the future of our country.”Mr. Feely, 50, describes himself as a “proud conservative and staunch supporter” of President Trump, who endorsed Mr. Feely in a video message before the primary, calling him a “true America First conservative.”Mr. Feely said his motivation for getting into politics is to fight for the future of the country. “This is about friends and family and this is about doing what’s best for this country,” he said. “That’s why I decided to get into this race. That’s why I decided to get into politics and leave a broadcasting job that I only had to work five months a year with seven months off. But there are things that you have to be willing to stand up for and you have to sacrifice. And that’s what politics is supposed to be about. It’s supposed to be sacrificial. We need more people to be sacrificial.”Mr. Feely said he was thankful for the support he has received from the sports community. According to data from the Federal Election Commission, Mr. Goodell made two donations of $3,500 to Mr. Feely’s campaign, while Giants coach John Harbaugh donated $2,500. The Bidwill family contributed $17,000.“It’s just been an honor for me to be around the NFL for 25 years and to get a chance to meet the people,” Mr. Feely said.

NFL Kicker Wins GOP Primary for Key House Seat

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