Jay Feely, a former Arizona Cardinals kicker and close ally of President Donald Trump, secured victory in Arizona’s 1st District GOP primary, a highly competitive battleground.The win comes as Democrats aim to flip the open seat, which Trump narrowly won in 2024.Feely’s campaign leveraged Trump’s endorsement to defeat former state Rep.Joseph Chaplik, who criticized him for insufficient conservatism on gun rights and humanitarian work in Haiti.Feely emphasized his direct access to Trump, claiming the president would listen to his calls.

His victory positions him to face a formidable Democratic opponent in November, with House Democrats targeting the district as a key midterm battleground.

Feely’s campaign also benefits from his ties to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s MAGA Majority fundraising program, likely securing significant GOP financial support.Chaplik, a member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, accused Feely of being too moderate, but Feely’s focus on Trump’s influence helped solidify his win.

The race highlights the growing role of Trump’s political network in shaping midterm elections, as Feely now faces the challenge of maintaining GOP control in a district that shifted toward Democrats in recent years.