NRCC Statement On Jay Feely Resoundingly Winning Debate Against Socialist Amish Shah

October 8, 2026

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) tonight issued the following statement on former NFL player Jay Feely winning tonight’s debate against Socialist Amish Shah:

“Former NFL player Jay Feely resoundingly defeated Socialist Amish Shah by sharing his common sense plans to lower costs, grow our economy and keep Valley families safe. Tonight’s debate exposed Socialist Shah as too far-left and as a liar who desperately failed to rewrite his toxic record of socialism, tax hikes, open borders, radical transgender policies and protecting sex offenders.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen

Background:

Arizonans cannot afford Socialist Amish Shah’s tax hikes

Amish Shah called for raising taxes on the average Valley household by more than $4,000 per year.
- VIDEO: Shah called for a “wholesale repeal” of the Working Families Tax Cuts. Shah said, “I have said publicly that these Trump tax cuts were terrible. I stand against them.”
- VIDEO: Shah said, “I’m not in favor of extending the Trump tax cuts.”
Shah even voted to tax groceries.

Shah supported Bernie Sanders and socialist policies

VIDEO: Amish Shah campaigned for socialist Bernie Sanders for President. He praised Sanders’ socialist policies at a Democrat Socialists of America event, claiming Sanders’ socialism “improved” the Democrat Party platform.
VIDEO: Shah called for a socialist government-run healthcare system. He said, “We need universal single payer Medicare for all throughout this country.”
Shah praised socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s socialist healthcare plan and the Socialist Squad’s movement.
VIDEO: Shah criticized the free market: “We have a system based in the free market and there are a lot of things wrong with that.”

Shah’s dangerous open borders, soft on crime record

Shah said he would have voted against the bipartisan Laken Riley Act targeting violent criminal illegal immigrants like murderers and rapists.
Shah voted against funding for state and local police agencies to secure the border and address fentanyl trafficking.
Shah called for repealing billions in federal border security funding.
Shah voted against tougher penalties for fentanyl trafficking.
Shah supported free taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.
Shah voted against holding sexual predators accountable.

Shah’s extreme, out of touch transgender policies

Shah supported transgender sex change surgeries for children.
Shah supported men in girls’ sports as well as in bathrooms and locker rooms.