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President Donald Trump-backed candidate and former NFL kicker Jay Feely has won the Republican primary in Arizona's key swing Congressional District 1, the Associated Press and NBC News have projected.
With nearly 69% of the vote in, Feely handily defeated former state Rep. Joe Chaplik and businessman John Trobough. Feely is seeking to replace retiring GOP Congressman and current Arizona gubernatorial candidate David Schweikert in the wealthy, metro-Phoenix-based congressional seat.
Feely initially ran for Congress for Arizona's 5th District, but switched to District 1 after Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who became the clear front-runner.
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But the 1st District could be a toss-up in November. Feely will either face Democratic primary challengers former state legislator Amish Shah and Marlene Galán-Woods, a former television news anchor endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The two Democrats squared off in the 2024 primary, with Shah beating Galán-Woods by about 1,700 votes. Shah eventually lost to Schweikert, but could be a contender again this year.
"When I chose to walk away from my NFL broadcasting career, keeping the Republican majority was the primary focus," Feely said in a statement posted on the social platform X. "We must maintain a GOP majority to ensure lower costs for Arizona’s families, safety in our neighborhoods, and the preservation of the American Dream."
According to public data from the Federal Election Commission, Feely’s congressional campaign has received thousands of dollars from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, NBA legend Charles Barkley, CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz and New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh, among others.
Feely played for the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears from 2001 to 2014.
Contributing: Tom Viera
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump-endorsed ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely wins GOP primary in Arizona
