Jay Feely projected winner in CD-1; Dem race still too close to call

Two candidates advanced Tuesday in the race for one of the most competitive U.S. House seats in the country: Republican Jay Feely is the projected primary Republican winner in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Democrat Amish Shah is leading the race, but has not been crowned the projected primary winner.

The Associated Press called the GOP race for Feely just before 8:20 p.m. At the time, Feely led with 49.42% of the vote with the closest opponent, Joseph Chaplik, having 35.2%.

The Democratic race had not been called with 76% of the votes counted, but Shah was projected to win, having received 42.04%.

Why are the stakes so high in this 2026 primary election?

The race has drawn national attention because longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. David Schweikert is not seeking reelection, instead running for governor against fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs.

Schweikert has represented the Scottsdale-based district, the state’s wealthiest, since 2011. It covers a suburban stretch of northeast Maricopa County that includes Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills and parts of Phoenix.

His departure leaves open a seat that has become increasingly competitive.

GOP nominee chosen in Arizona’s CD-1 race

The three Republicans in the CD-1 primary, former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, state Rep. Joseph Chaplik and tech executive John Trobough, outlined similar priorities during their debate.

Of the three, Feely is the only CD-1 candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump, but he began the cycle in a different race.

Feely initially launched a campaign in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, then withdrew after former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is running for that seat, received Trump’s backing. The president suggested Feely run in another district or seek a different office.

Feely then entered the CD-1 race and received Trump’s endorsement, initially alongside Republican Gina Swoboda. She has since dropped out of the congressional race and launched a campaign for secretary of state.

Arizona CD-1 Democratic primary winner advances to general election

Although CD-1 has long leaned Republican, four Democrats who ran in the primary saw Schweikert’s decision not to seek reelection as a major opportunity to flip the district blue.

Emergency physician and former state Rep. Amish Shah ran against Schweikert in 2024, losing narrowly. Despite the tight race, he didn’t have as much support from powerful Democrats as former broadcast journalist Marlene Galán-Woods, who was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly.

Galán-Woods, who was backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The AZ Political Podcast that her journalism background makes her uniquely suited to expose corruption.

She would be the first Latina to represent the district.

How the money stacked up

Feely held a commanding fundraising advantage heading into the primary.

His campaign reported roughly $2.5 million in total receipts, including about $1.3 million from individual donors and $330,000 in personal loans to the campaign.

Chaplik reported about $605,000 in total receipts, with roughly $304,000 from individual contributors and $300,000 in candidate loans, according to the Federal Election Commission.

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