Arizona house race: Former NFL analyst Feely expected to lose as Democrat Shaw leads by 22,000 votes

Shaw leads in Arizona district

Feely was running for the first time for the seat, seeking to replace Rep. David Schweikert. Schweikert left office after an unsuccessful run for Governor. Early Wednesday, Shaw had a 22,000-vote advantage, with 90% of ballots counted. The race had not yet been called, although the New York Times needle projected an 8.9-point victory for Shaw and described a Democratic win as very likely.

A broader Democratic surge

The midterms were widely viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s second term and Republicans nationwide. The article says Trump’s promises on inflation and foreign wars had been betrayed, while even optimistic Democrats had not anticipated the scale of their victories.

Democrats gained control of both the US Senate and House of Representatives and won races previously considered out of reach. Arizona’s first congressional district, which voted Republican in 2024, appeared to be among the seats shifting to Democrats in the 2026 midterms.

Sports ties on both sides

Shaw previously worked as a team doctor for the New York Jets and crossed paths with Feely when Feely played for the team. Former NFL on CBS colleagues and sports-media friends, including Jim Nantz, Kevin Harlan and Charles Barkley, contributed to Feely’s campaign.

Feely was not the only candidate with sports-media connections in congressional races. Former NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya lost a Republican Senate bid in Minnesota, while former ESPN analyst and MLB All-Star Mark Teixeira won a House seat in Texas’s 21st congressional district.