Jay Feely (R) – AZ-01 House 2026

About

Jay Feely is a former NFL placekicker who played 14 seasons with seven teams, including the Arizona Cardinals from 2010 to 2013, and later became an NFL broadcaster. A political newcomer endorsed by President Donald Trump, he won the July 21, 2026 Republican primary for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, defeating former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik. His campaign emphasizes conservative values, supporting law enforcement, and economic growth, and he has raised over $2.5 million.

Biography sources 4

Positions on Key Issues

Positions of Jay Feely on key issues
Issue	Stance	Sources
Economy	Feely says he would slash regulations, expand Trump-era tax cuts, support domestic manufacturing, and work to reduce inflation. He frames these measures as a way to create stable, good-paying jobs in Arizona and reduce the national debt.	Jay Feely for Congress — Issues Republican Jay Feely courts independents with affordability pitch in House race
Climate/Energy	Feely's campaign says he supports President Trump's America-First energy agenda and expanding American oil, natural gas, clean coal, and innovation. He proposes cutting regulatory barriers, encouraging energy exploration, and building infrastructure for energy independence, while criticizing the Green New Deal; the page does not state a specific position on climate-change policy or emissions targets.	Unleashing American Energy Independence — Jay Feely for Congress Jay Feely: 2026 Arizona U.S. House Polls & Odds
Immigration	Feely says he would prioritize border security, finish the border wall, dismantle what he calls the Biden/Harris “open-borders agenda,” and support Border Patrol and ICE. His campaign specifically supports mass deportations of violent offenders and efforts to stop fentanyl from entering communities.	Issues \| Jay Feely for Congress
Firearms & Second Amendment	Feely’s campaign says he will defend Arizonans’ Second Amendment rights. His campaign has also publicly reported receiving an AQ rating from the NRA, described as the organization’s highest rating for a first-time candidate.	Issues \| Jay Feely for Congress NRA awards Jay Feely highest rating for congress
Foreign Policy	Feely says he would stand strongly with Israel, seek to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, combat antisemitism in the United States, and restore what he describes as America’s commitment to Israel as a key Middle East ally.	Issues \| Jay Feely for Congress Jay Feely on Diplomacy & International Relations \| Local Candidates
Civil Rights & Equality	Feely says he would seek legislation to bar transgender girls and women from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, arguing that biological sex should determine eligibility and that this protects women’s fairness and opportunity. He also says he would combat antisemitism, particularly harassment of Jewish students on college campuses, while his campaign materials emphasize equal treatment across racial backgrounds as a value learned through sports; he has not published a broader civil-rights agenda covering areas such as voting rights or LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination.	Jay Feely for Congress — Issues Ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely explains his decision to enter politics
Education	Feely supports school choice and says he would fight for it in Congress. In an August 14, 2026 post, he argued Arizona families should have access to more education resources and criticized opposition to a federal tax-credit program benefiting private-school families.	Jay Feely on school choice and education tax credits (August 14, 2026) Jay Feely for Congress — Issues
Local Issues	Feely says he would prioritize Arizona and Valley concerns in Congress, specifically protecting Arizona’s water, supporting farmers and ranchers, and opposing federal mandates he says harm families, small businesses, and schools. His campaign also frames economic priorities around semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, defense technology, logistics, and bringing stable jobs to the Valley.	Issues \| Jay Feely for Congress How Jay Feely plans to represent Arizona's 1st congressional district if elected
Tech & AI	Feely supports artificial-intelligence regulation backed by leaders in the technology industry, according to USA TODAY's account of his campaign platform. His campaign's issues page also emphasizes Arizona's semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, defense technology and innovation sectors, though it does not provide additional AI-specific policy details.	NFL kicker's Trump and Goodell-backed Congress bid heads to primary: What to know Issues \| Jay Feely for Congress

Review an issue

Economy

Feely says he would slash regulations, expand Trump-era tax cuts, support domestic manufacturing, and work to reduce inflation. He frames these measures as a way to create stable, good-paying jobs in Arizona and reduce the national debt.

Sources:

Jay Feely for Congress — Issues

Republican Jay Feely courts independents with affordability pitch in House race

Choose another issue above to review the remaining researched positions.

No public position found: Healthcare, Abortion & Reproductive Health, Election Policy

Background

Career History

Placekicker 2001 – 2014

NFL (Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, others)

Played 14 seasons as an NFL placekicker from 2001 to 2014 with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Chicago Bears.

Education

University of Michigan Bachelor's in General Studies

Top Donors

Raised approximately $2.53M in total receipts (through July 31, 2026), including $1.28M from individual contributions, $323,329 from committee contributions, and $330,000 in candidate loans. His campaign drew significant support from sports industry figures—NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ($7,000), Charles Barkley, Robert Kraft, Jim Harbaugh, and the Bidwill family ($17,000 combined). The NRCC reported Feely raised $740,000 in the first quarter of 2026. His campaign ended July 2026 with $794,474 cash on hand.

Sources

Roger Goodell among notable sports figures donating to ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely's House bid - Fox News Jay Feely, Amish Shah to face each other for CD-1 - KTAR Experts question finances of group behind attacks on Jay Feely - AZ Central FEELY, THOMAS JAMES - Candidate overview

Voting Record

Has never held legislative office. Feely is a former NFL kicker with a 14-season professional football career and later a CBS Sports broadcaster. His campaign platform emphasizes border security, supporting President Trump's 'America First' agenda, fiscal and social conservatism, and tighter regulation of NIL in college athletics. He has not served in any prior elected or appointed government position, and no public voting record exists.

Sources

View full voting record Ex-NFL kicker Jay Feely explains his decision to enter politics - The Hill Issues - Jay Feely for Congress Jay Feely, Amish Shah to face each other for CD-1 - KTAR

About this research

Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated October 10, 2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.