Jay Feely, a Congressional candidate for Arizona’s 5th district, has advocated for Republican-backed policies aimed at securing the border, protecting families, and stopping fentanyl. He cited previous actions as effective in achieving these goals. This statement was made on the social media platform X.
“Democrats lied, claiming they needed a bill to fix the border crisis,” said Feely. “President Trump took immediate action—and within weeks, order was restored. We need strong Republicans in DC to codify the President’s policies, to protect our families, and to keep fentanyl out of our country.”
The U.S.–Mexico border policy experienced a shift following a presidential proclamation on June 4, 2024, which limited asylum during periods of high encounters. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented stricter removal processes. Analysts have noted that crossings in Arizona’s Tucson and Yuma sectors decreased significantly through early 2025 due to these measures. Ports and sectors adjusted their operations amid fluctuating flows and temporary closures in late 2024, according to DHS’s fact sheet on the proclamation and related rules.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data indicate that Arizona’s Tucson and Yuma sectors recorded some of the steepest declines in encounters in 2025. From January to July, encounters fell approximately 95% in Tucson and 94% in Yuma compared to 2024, reflecting tightened enforcement measures. The Hunt Institute reported similar drops across the Southwest border during this period based on CBP data.
Arizona has been grappling with rising synthetic opioid issues even as seizures increase. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) reported 2,019 opioid overdose deaths in 2021 and 1,927 in 2022, with fentanyl being a significant contributor to fatalities. Meanwhile, CBP recorded its largest-ever fentanyl bust in Arizona in August 2024 at Nogales, exceeding half a ton. These trends are central to policy debates on interdiction and treatment.
Feely is a former NFL kicker and CBS analyst who announced his candidacy for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District in April 2025. Reuters reports that he has centered his platform on border security and economic issues as he seeks to succeed Representative Andy Biggs. Feely is an alumnus of the University of Michigan and has lived and worked in Arizona as both a Cardinals player and broadcaster.
Arizona’s 5th Congressional District encompasses Phoenix’s East Valley communities such as Gilbert, Queen Creek, and parts of Mesa following the redistricting in 2020. Ballotpedia lists Republican Andy Biggs as the current representative who won reelection on November 5, 2024, with about 60% of the vote. The district is known for its reliable Republican support amidst fast-growing suburban demographics.
