PHOENIX – Jay Feely has decided to enter the crowded First Congressional District GOP primary rather than battle Trump-endorsed Mark Lamb in Arizona’s CD5.
Feely’s announcement on Friday came “after much thought and prayerful consideration with my family and discussions with Arizona’s grassroots and business leaders, as well as Republican leadership,” he said.
Feely, a former kicker for the Arizona Cardinals, launched his first political campaign in April. He wanted to succeed U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs in CD5, which is considered a safe Republican district in the East Valley.
His plans took a hit, though, when President Donald Trump endorsed Lamb, a former Pinal County sheriff.
Instead, he will move his campaign to the more competitive First Congressional District, which covers Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and portions of Phoenix.
In the GOP primary, he is facing Gina Swoboda, chair of the Arizona Republican Party, Joseph Chaplik, a state representative from Scottsdale and businessman John Trobough.
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert is not seeking reelection in the district that leans slightly Republican.
Feely said he made the shift to boost Republicans’ chances of holding onto the House in the 2026 midterms.
“After nearly a quarter century in professional football, I know that no one player is more important than the well-being of the team,” he said in a statement.
“In this moment, the best way I can serve our GOP team is to defend this crucial Republican seat. I look forward to earning each citizen’s vote as we embark on this crucial mission.”
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Dan McCarthy
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Meet Dan
Dan McCarthy joined Independent Newsmedia as web content editor after a 40-plus year career as a reporter and editor in New Jersey and Arizona. During his time in Arizona, he has been an editor of daily and weekly papers in Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Peoria and Glendale. Prior to moving to Arizona in 1984, when he was hired to be assistant city editor at the Tempe Daily News, he covered regional police/fire news, municipal, county and state governments in New Jersey, the latter as bureau chief at the state Capitol.
Community: He has served on several boards over the years, including the Tempe Community Action Agency and the Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Governors. He is a graduate of the Tempe Leadership and Scottsdale Leadership programs, serving as media adviser for subsequent classes of Tempe Leadership.
Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism.
Random Fact: Set winter/summer track records in the 60-, 100- and 220-yard dashes at his high school in New Jersey.
Hobbies: Tai chi, cooking, dining at his must-eat-once places around the U.S. and the Cincinnati Reds, his favorite team since 1961.