Thomas
"Jay" Feely IV
Former NFL kicker and CBS analyst Jay Feely is the Republican nominee for Arizona's open 1st Congressional District seat in 2026.
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 10
Background
Thomas "Jay" Feely IV is the Republican nominee for Arizona's 1st Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, running for an open seat vacated by Rep. David Schweikert. 13
Feely attended the University of Michigan from 1994 to 1998 and was a member of its 1997 national-championship football team. After college he worked as a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Group before playing 14 NFL seasons as a kicker from 2001 to 2014, including time with the Arizona Cardinals. After retiring from football, he worked as an NFL analyst for CBS, a role the campaign says earned him five Emmy Awards. 1318
Following his football career, Feely settled in the Phoenix Valley, where his campaign describes him as a 15-year resident. He has served on the boards of StrongWatch and Klein Tools and has made angel investments. He served on the Gilbert Christian School Board from 2016 to 2020. 135
Feely secured the Republican nomination and received an endorsement from President Trump. He faces Democratic candidate Dr. Amish Shah and Libertarian Monica Alponte in the general election. 121
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Arizona
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Republican nominee, Arizona's 1st Congressional District (2026)
- Website
- jayfeelyforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8newsFeely says local communities should decide on data centers, not rule them out
Post-debate coverage by KJZZ noted that Feely did not oppose data centers outright, quoting him as saying 'local communities should get to decide if they want them there or not.'
Arizona 1st Congressional District candidates share ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7debateFeely and Shah debate at Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission forum
Feely and Shah participated in the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission's final debate for congressional offices on October 7. Topics included immigration, health care, data centers, the Iran war, the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill, and Colorado River allocations. Feely backed Trump's handling of the Iran war and immigration enforcement, and said he 'vehemently disagrees' with the announced cut to Arizona's Colorado River share.
Independents to be a deciding factor in CD1 race · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1pollPoll shows Shah at 44%, Feely at 41% in statistical dead heat in CD1
A FirstStrategic Communications poll conducted October 1 of 400 registered voters showed Amish Shah at 44.4% and Jay Feely at 41.6%, with 14% undecided. Shah held a 22-point lead among independent voters. The result was described as a statistical dead heat.
FirstStrategic Communications and Public Affairs polls 2026 · Call the Map · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsFeely appears on Newsmax, says Democrats 'don't want to be held accountable'
Jay Feely appeared on Newsmax and criticized Democrats, saying they 'don't want to be held accountable,' as part of his general election campaign messaging.
Jay Feely to Newsmax: Dems 'Don't Want to Be Held ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22newsTrump-backed Feely targets Shah as 'socialist' at GOP convention
At a GOP convention, Jay Feely targeted Democratic opponent Amish Shah as a 'socialist,' highlighting his Trump endorsement and positioning for the general election.
Trump-Backed AZ Congressional Nominee Jay Feely Targets Democrat Amish Shah As ‘Socialist’ At GOP Convention · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsFeely's stance on data centers in Arizona reported
Copper Courier reported on Jay Feely's position on data centers in Arizona, an issue that would later feature prominently in the CD1 debate.
Where does Jay Feely stand on data centers in Arizona? · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 11newsTrump begins spending in Arizona's swing congressional districts, including CD1
Reporting indicated that Trump-aligned spending was directed toward Arizona's competitive congressional districts, including the CD1 race featuring Feely.
ARIZONA'S POLITICS: Donald Trump Begins Spending Some of 'His' '$1 Billion' In Arizona's Swing Districts · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 13filingFeely files current statement of candidacy with FEC
Jay Feely filed his current statement of candidacy on August 13, 2026, according to campaign finance records. Through July 31, his campaign reported $2.53 million in receipts, $1.73 million in disbursements, $794,475 cash on hand, and $330,000 in campaign debt.
Jay Feely | Biography & Public Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 6filingArizona Secretary of State certifies primary canvass, confirming Feely as GOP nominee
The Arizona Secretary of State officially certified the primary canvass on August 6, 2026, confirming Jay Feely as the Republican nominee for Arizona's 1st Congressional District.
Jay Feely | Biography & Public Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 21newsFeely wins Republican primary with 49.8% of the vote
Thomas 'Jay' Feely IV won the Republican primary for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, receiving 43,709 votes (49.8%), ahead of Joseph Chaplik (31,347 votes) and John Trobough (12,718 votes).
Jay Feely | Biography & Public Record — The Conservative Ledger · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 1endorsementPro-AI PAC decides to spend $600,000 on Feely's congressional race
Leading the Future, a pro-AI outside committee, decided in June to spend $600,000 supporting Jay Feely's campaign in Arizona's 1st Congressional District. The decision was reported by KJZZ in October 2026.
Arizona 1st Congressional District candidates share ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organizationListed as an endorser by iVoterGuide; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- Rep. Juan Ciscomani officialListed as an endorser by iVoterGuide; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- House Speaker Mike Johnson officialListed as an endorser by iVoterGuide; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- Barry Goldwater Jr. officialListed as an endorser by iVoterGuide; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- House Conservatives Fund organizationListed as an endorser by iVoterGuide; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- Center for Arizona Policy Action organizationListed as an endorser by iVoterGuide; no endorsement date provided. ivoterguide.com
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) organizationAnnounced its endorsement on October 5, 2026, as part of endorsements of six Arizona congressional candidates ahead of the November election. azfreenews.com · Oct 5, 2026
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce organizationAnnounced its endorsement on September 16, 2026. uschamber.com · Sep 16, 2026
- Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell officialIdentified as a Feely endorser in an August 24, 2026 Axios report. axios.com · Aug 24, 2026
- President Donald Trump officialTrump reiterated his endorsement in a July 10, 2026 social-media post ahead of the July 21 Republican primary. azcentral.com · Jul 10, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.53M
- Spent
- $1.73M
- Cash on hand
- $794K
As of Jul 31, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6AZ05190(opens in a new tab)
Sources 19
- [1] Thomas "Jay" Feely IV - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Arizona 1st Congressional District candidates share ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Rivals face off in highly competitive Ariz. House district(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] 2026 Election: CD1 debate features Dr. Amish Shah, Jay Feely in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Congressional candidates debate economy, data centers(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [6] Independents to be a deciding factor in CD1 race(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [7] FirstStrategic Communications and Public Affairs polls 2026 · Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [8] Small Business Organization Endorses Six Arizona Congressional Candidates Ahead Of November Election - AZ FREE NEWS(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [9] Issues | Explore Key Priorities — Jay Feely for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [10] Jay Feely to Newsmax: Dems 'Don't Want to Be Held ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [11] Trump-Backed AZ Congressional Nominee Jay Feely Targets Democrat Amish Shah As ‘Socialist’ At GOP Convention(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [12] Where does Jay Feely stand on data centers in Arizona?(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [13] Jay Feely | Biography & Public Record — The Conservative Ledger(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [14] U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Jay Feely for Arizona's First ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [15] ARIZONA'S POLITICS: Donald Trump Begins Spending Some of 'His' '$1 Billion' In Arizona's Swing Districts(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [16] Arizona Congressional District 1 candidate(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026
- [17] Trump-endorsed House candidate Jay Feely concedes Trump lost in 2020(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026
- [18] Arizona Democrat Shah wins 2nd police endorsement over ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 24, 2026
- [19] Trump-endorsed Jay Feely wins GOP House race(opens in a new tab) Jul 21, 2026