Former NFL kicker Jay Feely runs for Congress in Arizona

Former NFL kicker Thomas James Feely is running as the Republican nominee for Arizona's 1st Congressional District in the US midterm elections. Feely secured the Republican primary in July 2026, winning almost 50% of the votes, and faces Democrat Amish Shah for the open House seat after David Schweikert chose to run for governor. Feely and Shah previously worked together for the New York Jets, where Feely was a kicker and Shah served as a team physician. ## Campaign Issues Feely's campaign centers on conservative policies, border security, lower living costs, and support for President Donald Trump's agenda. He has called for completing the US-Mexico border wall, supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and deporting illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes. He also backs the expansion of domestic oil and gas production, lowering federal regulations, and extending tax cuts from Trump's first term. ## Controversies During the primary, Feely clashed with rival Joseph Chaplik over immigration remarks, and faced criticism in October 2026 over past comments describing Social Security as a liability or a Ponzi scheme. According to a Sportico report analyzing his 2025 financial disclosure, Feely's net worth was estimated between $15.9 million and $65.5 million, and he earned $220,000 as a CBS Sports commentator in 2024.

Context

Congressional elections in swing states like Arizona often focus heavily on border security and economic policy due to local demographics and geographic concerns. Candidates from non-traditional backgrounds, such as professional sports or business, frequently leverage their name recognition to build voter support during initial political runs.