Arizona
Trump issues rare dual endorsement in Arizona swing district
Are Trump’s signature tariffs even legal?
Rising health care costs, limits on executive power and two ongoing conflicts are all substantive issues Trump faces in the new year as midterms near.
President Donald Trump endorsed not one but two Republicans in a highly watched Arizona congressional primary, boosting a new candidate after his first pick met resistance from some in the GOP.
In a Jan. 6 social media post, Trump said he was backing Jay Feely, a former Cardinals kicker and sports commentator who recently switched his campaign into Arizona’s Scottsdale-area 1st Congressional District, in addition to Gina Swoboda, the state GOP chair whose candidacy has divided Republicans despite her securing Trump’s support in October.
The president praised both Feely and Swoboda as “Highly Respected America First Patriots.”
“JAY OR GINA WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns.
The announcement is a blow to Swoboda, a polarizing figure among Arizona Republicans. Her longtime rivalry with Turning Point, the network of conservative advocacy groups founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk, has shadowed her candidacy, prompting attacks and infighting among Arizona Republicans.
The president’s team had not publicly confirmed his endorsement of Swoboda before the Jan. 6 social media post.
In an interview with The Arizona Republic, Feely said he thought the endorsement came back to his “friendship” and shared values with the president.
“I love what he’s doing. I believe in what he’s doing. I’m committed to the same principles that he and his administration have,” Feely said.
“We wish Gilbert resident Jay Feely well in his latest campaign for Congress, but nothing has changed,” Swoboda campaign consultant Chris Baker shot back in a written statement to The Republic. “Gina Swoboda will be the Republican nominee in AZ01.”
The endorsement will also set back two other high-profile GOP candidates in the race, the ultra-conservative state Rep. Joseph Chaplik and businessman John Trobough, who both told The Republic they, too, had been in touch with the White House.
Though Trump’s endorsement will be a boon in the Republican primary, it could become a liability in the general election. The district, which includes wealthy pockets of Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and north Phoenix, has a hot-and-cold relationship with the president.
National GOP leaders encouraged him to run in Scottsdale, Feely says
Feely initially launched his campaign in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, which includes much of Chandler, Queen Creek and Gilbert, where he lives with his family. He billed himself as a home-grown candidate with a “heart to serve,” and a MAGA devotee who has a personal relationship with Trump.
His prospects in that district dimmed after the president endorsed one of his opponents, Mark Lamb, the well-known former sheriff of Pinal County. Early polling showed Lamb with a large advantage in the race.
But Trump took a liking to Feely, encouraging the former football player in a November social media post to “run in a different district, or for a different office.”
Feely followed the president’s advice. He switched his campaign into the Scottsdale district on Dec. 19. Trump’s endorsement followed about two weeks later.
In an interview Feely said national Republican leaders in D.C., and “grassroots leadership” in the Valley, encouraged him to pivot to the Scottsdale seat. He said he spoke several times with House Speaker Mike Johnson on the matter.
“I wanted to do what was best for the team,” he told The Arizona Republic.
“If they wanted me to run in CD1, and they felt like I was the best candidate, and the one that could hold that seat, then I was willing to do that.”
It’s rare but not unheard of for the president to endorse multiple candidates in a single race.
Last year Trump endorsed two congressional hopefuls in a West Valley-area Republican primary, including the eventual winner, U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh.
And in Missouri’s 2022 U.S. Senate race, Trump left election-watchers scratching their heads when he endorsed “Eric,” a first name shared by the race’s two front-runners. Both campaigns claimed the endorsement as their own.
For years the Scottsdale-area district has been considered one of the most competitive races in the country. Its incumbent, U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, announced last year he would not seek re-election in 2026, winding down his 15-year tenure on Capitol Hill and setting up a bitter contest for the rare open congressional seat.
Across the aisle, about half a dozen high-profile Democrats are fighting for their party’s nomination.
The candidates have already raised millions of dollars between them, with campaign spending only expected to escalate leading up to the Aug. 4, 2026 primaries. The Nov. 3, 2026, general election will bring millions more expensive television advertisements, mailers, and social media ads to the district, much of it financed by national Republican and Democratic groups wrestling for control over the U.S. House.
Feely has raised more than $1 million, about a third of which he has loaned himself, according to a report filed this fall. His personal financial disclosure shows he is worth at least $15 million, giving him a piggy bank that could help finance a campaign.
Swoboda has raised “quite a bit” of money, said campaign consultant Chris Baker, though her fundraising receipts aren’t yet public.
Rivals slam Feely’s out-of-district residence
Feely’s rivals have slammed him for running in a district where he doesn’t live.
“If Jay Feely wants to travel 50 minutes every day to run in Arizona’s 1st Ccongressional District, where he’s never lived, we will pay for his Uber,” Alfredo Rodriguez, a strategist with the Trobough campaign, wrote in a news release. “Tell him to send us the bill.”
“If Gilbert carpetbagger Jay Feely foolishly thinks he can win in AZ01, then more power to him I guess. But the outcome won’t change – Gina Swoboda will win the Republican primary,” Baker wrote in a statement to The Republic.
Feely said in an interview he has connections to the Scottsdale district, even though he doesn’t actually live there. The district is “about economics” and “represents the entrepreneurial spirit,” he said.
“I’ve invested in companies in this district. My friends and family live in this district. And I want to be an asset to all of them,” Feely said.
COCONINO COUNTY, AZ — A new wildfire burning along the Arizona-Utah border has grown to over 1,000 acres and remains 0 percent contained as of Tuesday.
The Rock Canyon Fire is centered nine miles south of US 89 and nine miles west of House Rock Valley Road in Coconino County.
According to fire officials, the fire was lightning-caused.
Nick Smith
Wildland firefighters from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service are working to contain the fire, along with local crews.
The Rock Canyon Fire is one of two currently burning in Arizona, with the Dellenbaugh Fire located near the Grand Canyon estimated to be at 700 acres.
Here’s what you need to know about Arizona State University
ASU, founded in 1886, has its main campus in Tempe, and Sparky the Sun Devil is the mascot for the school.
The Republic
Throughout the years, Arizona State University has been home to some of the most notable alumni.
The public research university based in Tempe was founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature. Now, it is one of the United States’ largest public universities by enrollment.
Famous Sun Devils have broken into various industries, including fashion, acting, comedy, sports and politics. With more than 680,000 alumni around the world, it makes sense that a few of them ended up being such high-profile graduates.
Here are some of the most famous alumni from Arizona State University.
Steve Allen
Television and radio personality Steve Allen was the co-creator and first host of “The Tonight Show.” He also hosted a number of game and variety shows including “The Steve Allen Show,” “I’ve Got a Secret” and “The New Steve Allen Show.”
Allen’s first radio job was on station KOY in Phoenix. This was after he left ASU as a sophomore.
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds, a former professional baseball left fielder, played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants, and he’s considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Bonds went to Arizona State University, where his distant cousin and university Hall of Fame right fielder Reggie Jackson attended and played baseball. He was a Sporting News All-American selection in 1985, he tied the NCAA record with seven consecutive hits in the College World Series as a sophomore and he was named to the CWS All-Tournament team in 1983 and 1984.
He was not well-liked by his teammates. His coach, Jim Brock, said he was “rude, inconsiderate and self-centered.” Bonds was almost unanimously voted off the team. Bonds graduated in 1986 with a degree in criminology. He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player and was inducted into the Sun Devil Hall of Fame 1999 Class.
Lynda Carter
Lynda Carter, the actress and singer best known for her role as “Wonder Woman,” was born in Phoenix and attended ASU for two years, but dropped out after being successful in beauty pageants.
Christine Devine
TV news anchor and 16-time Emmy winner Christine Devine grew up in Arizona. She graduated from Arizona State in 1987 and is a part of the Walter Cronkite School of Broadcast Journalism’s Hall of Fame.
She attended the school on the Leadership Scholarship and was on the Alumni Association board.
Doug Ducey
Republican politician Doug Ducey moved to Arizona to attend ASU, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in finance. He is a part of ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business Hall of Fame.
Ducey originally began his career in sales and marketing. He became a co-owner, partner and chief executive officer of Cold Stone Creamery in 1995. He sold the company in 2007 and was elected as the Arizona state treasurer in 2010. Ducey was the governor of Arizona from 2015-2023.
Katie Hobbs
Katie Hobbs was born in Phoenix; she grew up in Tempe and attended Seton Catholic High School in 1988. She attended Northern Arizona University and received a bachelor’s degree in social work. She attended Arizona State University for her master’s degree in social work in 1995.
Hobbs was a social worker and an adjunct professor of social work at Paradise Valley Community College and ASU before being elected to the Arizona House of Representatives, the Arizona State Senate, as the secretary of state of Arizona and the Governor of Arizona.
James Harden
Cleveland Cavaliers player James Harden played college basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was named a consensus All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2009. He was also selected as the third overall pick in the 2009 NBC draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jimmy Kimmel
Talk show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel attended ASU for two years. There, he frequently called into KZZP’s morning show and KRQQ in Tucson.
Stephenie Meyer
Novelist and producer Stephenie Meyer is best known for writing the vampire romance series “Twilight.”
She was raised in Phoenix, attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale and took some classes at Arizona State University in 1996 and 1997.
Al Michaels
“Thursday Night Football” sportscaster Al Michaels attended Arizona State where he majored in radio and television, and minored in journalism. He worked as a sports editor for the independent student newspaper, the State Press. He called Sun Devils football, basketball and baseball games for the campus radio station, Blaze Radio. Michaels was also a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.
He graduated in 1966.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is a professional golfer who plays in the LIV Golf League. He has won 45 events on the PGA Tour, including three Masters titles, two PGA Championships and one Open Championship. He was nicknamed “Lefty” because he plays left-handed.
Mickelson was raised in San Diego and Scottsdale. He attended Arizona State University on a golf scholarship and captured three NCAA individual championships and three Haskins Awards. He also led the Sun Devils to the NCAA team title in 1990. During his collegiate career, he won 16 tournaments.
Ed Pastor
Former U.S. Rep Ed Pastor from Claypool was Arizona’s first Latino member of Congress. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from ASU and was the first in his family to attend college. He returned to the university to earn a law degree.
A part of the Democratic Party, Pastor retired after 23 years in Congress.
Dustin Pedroia
Former professional baseball second baseman for the Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia attended Arizona State University. At ASU, he played college baseball for the Sun Devils alongside Ian Kinsler and Andre Ethier.
Kinsler and Pedroia competed for the shortstop position with Pedroia coming out on top. Over three years at ASU, Pedroia didn’t hit below .347 and had a career average of .384, starting all 185 games.
Pedroia relinquished the last two years of his athletic scholarship to help his coach Pat Murphy use the money to recruit better pitchers. He was named ASU On Deck Circle Most Valuable Player and was drafted by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2004 MLB draft.
Kyrsten Sinema
Former United States senator from Arizona, Krysten Sinema was born in Tucson. She completed her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and completed a Master of Social Work degree at Arizona State University in 1999.
In 2004, she earned a law degree from Arizona State University College of Law. Then in 2012, she completed a doctorate in justice studies from ASU; in 2018 she completed an online M.B.A. from the W. P. Carey School of Business.
Sinema was an adjunct professor teaching master’s-level policy and grant writing classes in 2003 at Arizona State University School of Social Work.
David Spade
David Spade is a stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster. He has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
He and his family moved to Scottsdale when he was 4. Spade attended Saguaro High School and then Scottsdale Community College before transferring to Arizona State University.
He was a member of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon, performed stand-up at the university’s long-running sketch comedy show, “Farce Side Comedy Hour.” In the mid-1980s, he did stand-up at the Monday night comedy show at Greasy Tony’s Pizza in Tempe. He dropped out after making a decent living doing stand-up.
Kate Spade
Fashion designer and entrepreneur, Kate Spade transferred from the University of Kansas to Arizona State University.
There she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and graduated with a journalism degree in 1985.
In college, Spade worked in sales at Carter’s Men’s Clothing in Phoenix, where she met her future husband and business partner Andy Spade who also attended ASU. Andy Spade is the older brother of David Spade.
Kate and Andy Spade went on the create fashion and lifestyle brand Kate Spade New York.
Brenda Strong
Brenda Strong earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Arizona State in 1982. She was also crowned Miss Arizona in 1980.
Strong is known for her roles on “Seinfeld,” “Starship Troopers” and “Desperate Housewives” – for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards.
Pat Tillman
Professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals, Pat Tillman, first played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils. At ASU, he secured the last remaining scholarship for the team and played as linebacker.
In 1997, he was voted for Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and he was also named Arizona State’s MVP that year. Tillman majored in marketing and graduated with a 3.85 GPA, he also earned numerous academic awards. Tillman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Tillman enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 after four season in the NFL and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. His service in Iraq and Afghanistan received media attention after it was discovered he had been killed by friendly fire.
ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center is named in his honor and offers support services for veteran students and their families.
Ayọ Tometi
Ayọ Tometi is a human rights activist, writer, strategist and community organizer. She is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, a political and social movement that highlights racism, discrimination and racial inequality experienced by Black people in the United States, and promotes anti-racism.
Tometi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public/applied history from the University of Arizona in 2005 and with a master’s degree in communication studies, with a specialization in advocacy and rhetoric from Arizona State University in 2010.
Peterson Zah
Peterson Zah held several offices with the Navajo Nation and was the First Navajo Nation president from 1991 to 1995.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State in 1963. In 1995, was recruited by ASU president Lattie Coor to become a special advisor to the president of American Indian Affairs for Arizona State University. He held the position until 2011 with a focus on increasing retention and success of Native students. During his time as an advisor, the Native population of the university doubled.
Do you have a tip or a question you need answered? Reach the reporter at dina.kaur@arizonarepublic.com. Follow @dina_kaur on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Instagram @dina_kaur.
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RCA Records
The Arizona State Fair 2026 concert lineup just got bigger.
On Monday, fair officials announced that pop star Becky G and punk/alt-rock band The Offspring are joining the 2026 Coliseum Concert Series.
The two acts join a growing list of artists scheduled to perform during this year’s Arizona State Fair, which runs weekends from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1.
Becky G will play the fair on Friday, Oct. 9. The Offspring are scheduled to perform on Friday, Oct. 16.
Both concerts start at 7 p.m. inside the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum and won’t feature opening acts.
It’s the first time The Offspring, best known for a string of ‘‘’90s rock hits, has played the Arizona State Fair.
Becky G, the Grammy-nominated pop singer behind such multiplatinum singles as “Shower” and “Mayores,” previously performed at the fair back in 2019 and 2023.
Neil Schwartz Photography
Arizona State Fair 2026 concert lineup
State fair concerts featuring marquee artists have been shaking the walls of the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the fairgrounds since the 1960s.
The rosters of legendary artists and bands who have played the fair over the decades is both enormous and legendary. Names like Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Green Day, Korn, Snoop Dogg and Johnny Cash have taken the state inside the Coliseum over the decades.
Earlier this month, state fair officials began announcing the 2026 Coliseum Concert Series lineup.
Tempe rock icons Gin Blossoms are scheduled to perform on Friday, Oct. 2. Tickets are $58.09 to $107.53. Country music recording artist Russell Dickerson will play the fair on Saturday, Oct. 17. Tickets are $53.97 to $92.08.
Additional concert announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
When do Arizona State Fair concert tickets go on sale?
Tickets for Gin Blossoms and Russell Dickerson are already available through the Arizona State Fair website.
Tickets for Becky G and The Offspring go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday via azstatefair.com/concerts. A presale for subscribers to the Fair Fandom newsletter begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Reserved-seat upgrades are available for all four concerts. Each concert ticket also includes admission to the Arizona State Fair.
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