Jay Feely and potential CD-1 opponent Amish Shah have history with the New York Jets

Former NFL kicker Jay Feely won the Republican primary nod for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District with the first returns Tuesday, and the political newcomer already has a good sense of his general election opponent.

Democratic candidate Amish Shah once roamed the same sidelines with the New York Jets. He was an emergency doctor for New York when Feely was there from 2008-09, before the kicker’s stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2010-13.

“If it ends up being Amish Shah, he and I were both with the Jets at one time together. I was playing, he was a doctor,” Feely said late Tuesday. “It’s an old relationship. But whoever (the general election opponent) is, I want to do this the right way. I want to run this the right way.

“I want to make sure that I give them respect, I listen to them and give them the respect that they’re due, but still continue to stand up for my beliefs and what I believe is best for my district and my country.”

As of Wednesday morning, Shah had 40.5% of the vote, leading opponents Marlene Galan-Woods at 33.6%, Jonathan Treble at 17.4% and Rick McCartney at 8.5%.

The competitive district includes parts of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Paradise Valley.

Shah currently works as an emergency room doctor and previously served in the state House.

He was the CD-1 Democratic nominee in 2024 but lost to GOP Rep. David Schweikert. That race was close, with Schweikert taking a 51.9% to 48.1% victory. Schweikert opted to run for governor instead of reelection, but he lost to Andy Biggs in the Republican primary.

Now, Shah appears close to running in the Nov. 3 general election against Feely, who has name recognition despite his recent entry into politics and was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

“Grateful for his endorsement and grateful for his support,” Feely said of Trump. “Look forward to this general and look forward to being able to make the contrast between the two parties and what they believe in.”

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