A slate of Republican candidates endorsed by President Trump, including former NFL kicker Jay Feely, emerged victorious Tuesday in Arizona’s primary elections, while a Democratic socialist House hopeful suffered a massive defeat.
Feely, who played for six teams, including the New York Jets and New York Giants, during his 14 seasons in the NFL, defeated former state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik in the Arizona 1st District race by a 49.4%-35.2% margin.
The district, rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report, is being vacated by Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), who opted to run for governor, and is expected to be hotly contested in November.
Feely, who was endorsed by Trump in January, touted his close ties to the president on the campaign trail.
“Who can call [Trump] and who can get him to answer? That’s me,” Feely said during a primary debate, according to Politico. “He will take my call and he will listen. I have the ability to have the ear of the president.”
In Arizona’s open 5th District, former Pinal County sheriff Mark Lamb topped construction contractor Daniel Keenan in a 58.7%-41.3% vote.
Lamb, who rose to prominence for taking on Mexican cartels smuggling drugs across the border and into Arizona, will head to the midterms as the heavy favorite in the solidly red district.
“As the former Sheriff of Pinal County, Mark strongly supports our incredible Law Enforcement, Military, and Veterans, and knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to Ensure LAW AND ORDER,” Trump said of Lamb earlier this month, in a Truth Social post.
“In Congress, Mark will work hard to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who currently represents the 5th District, opted not to seek re-election and ran in the GOP gubernatorial primary instead.
Biggs, who received Trump’s backing in the governor’s race, topped Schweikert Tuesday night by a massive 71.5%-15.6% margin.
“Tonight’s results show that Arizonans overwhelmingly believe in our vision and I’m grateful to have earned their support,” Biggs said in a statement.
“Our goal has always been to unite the Republican Party and we’ve done that as much as any nominee in recent memory.”
Biggs, a member of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus, will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November.
Biggs trails Hobbs by about 5 percentage points, according to a RealClearPolitics average of three head-to-head polls.
In Arizona’s 4th District, incumbent Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) fended off a primary challenge from Democratic socialist Kai Newkirk.
Newkirk, who accused Stanton of being too supportive of Israel and corporations and slammed the congressman’s vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act, was looking to become the latest Democratic Socialist of America member to unseat an incumbent – but lost by a massive 68.1%-31.9% margin.
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