Trump-Endorsed Patriot Jay Feely Secures Arizona GOP Nomination for Congress
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Jay Feely, former NFL player and staunch conservative, won the Republican nomination for Arizona's 1st Congressional District after earning the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Former NFL placekicker Jay Feely triumphed in the Republican primary for Arizona's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, becoming the GOP nominee for the open seat previously held by Rep. David Schweikert, who is now running for governor. Feely defeated former state legislator Joseph Chaplik and businessman John Trobough in a race that experts say will be pivotal in determining control of the U.S. House.
President Donald Trump, the leader of the America First movement, released a video message in the final days of the race, endorsing Feely as a 'true America First conservative' and urging voters to support him on July 21. The National Republican Congressional Committee recognized Feely's strong candidacy by adding him to its program for competitive districts.
The campaign became heated when Chaplik raised concerns on social media about Feely's involvement with bringing Haitians to the United States, a claim Feely dismissed as racist. Feely, who has participated in nonprofit relief work in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, said he helped two Haitian men—a translator and the translator’s brother—relocate to the U.S. and considers them family.
Feely will move on to the November general election in a district that includes parts of northeastern Maricopa County, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Fountain Hills—a key battleground where Republicans are fighting to restore strong leadership and conservative values.