In a striking break with partisan expectations, former Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona is throwing her support behind Republican House candidate Jay Feely in one of the nations most closely watched congressional contests.
According to The Western Journal, Sinema, who left the Democratic Party in 2022 to register as an independent while still caucusing with Democrats, told a gathering of Arizona business and political leaders that she cast her ballot for Feely in the Republican primary. She opted against seeking another Senate term in 2024, clearing the way for Democrat Ruben Gallego, who went on to defeat Republican Kari Lake for the seat she vacated.
Feely is now competing in Arizonas First Congressional District, an open-seat battleground that could help determine which party controls the House. During several meetings this month, Sinema reportedly said she has grown close to Feely and his family, praising him as common-sense and a fiscal conservative, according to two individuals present for her remarks.
The former senator also argued that Feely is the strongest candidate to address Arizonas mounting water crisis, a critical issue in a state where federal overreach and environmental regulation often collide with local needs. Sinema further indicated she will likely support Feely again in the November general election, a contest unfolding as control of the House is expected to hinge on roughly 20 tossup races, according to the Cook Political Report.
The conversations in which Sinema voiced her support were described by Axios as casual conversations over the past month with groups of business and political leaders and allies. Even so, her backing underscores a broader realignment in which centrist and independent-minded voters increasingly find common cause with Republicans who emphasize fiscal restraint and pragmatic governance.
Feely, a former NFL kicker and broadcaster, is facing former Democratic state Rep. Amish Shah in the general election. He has also secured the endorsement of President Donald Trump, aligning himself with the populist, pro-growth agenda that has energized conservative voters across the country.
Feelys profile rose further when he addressed the first-ever Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, in September, delivering a message steeped in patriotism and responsibility. We are blessed to live in the greatest country in the world. We are still the shining city on the hill, he declared, adding, We will not surrender our future. We are the ones who must preserve it.
Over his NFL career, Feely played for several high-profile franchises, including the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and his home-state Arizona Cardinals. Now he and Shah are vying to succeed Republican Rep. David Schweikert, who abandoned his reelection bid to run for governor of Arizona.
Schweikert ultimately lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to Rep. Andy Biggs, a conservative stalwart. Biggs is now poised to challenge Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in what PBS has described as potentially one of the closest governor races in November.
With Republicans defending a razor-thin House majority during President Trumps second administration, Sinemas cross-party endorsement could prove pivotal in a district where swing voters will decide whether Washington moves toward more limited government and fiscal discipline or deeper entrenchment of progressive policies.
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