Because a guy needs a fresh start after being sentenced to Federal prison for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, and what better way is there than to run for Congress to serve in the place you attacked, right?
Chansley has no hope of winning, of course, but that's only because it will be a crowded field of far-right Republicans to succeed Debbie Lesko in AZ-08, each one crazier than the last.
Source: Forbes
Jacob Chansley, the man dubbed the “QAnon Shaman,” plans to run for Congress in Arizona, according to filed paperwork, just months after being released from jail for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack, where he was memorably filmed shirtless, wearing horns and wandering through the Capitol building.
Chansley filed paperwork to run in Arizona's 8th Congressional District as a Libertarian.
The representative who currently holds that seat, Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) announced last month she was not running for reelection after serving for more than five years in Congress.
Images of Chansley’s unique appearance—he was wearing a horned fur hat and had his face painted with the American flag— became synonymous with the January 6 attack.
Chansley was one of the most recognizable faces of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. He was arrested and charged three days after the attack in Arizona. Chansley ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and was sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in the attack. Chansley was released early from prison in March after serving 27 months and transferred to a halfway house. He was released from the halfway house in May.
Returning to the scene of the crime. QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley announces he plans to run for Congress, representing Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. He served 18 months in jail for his role in the Jan 6 attack on the US Capitol. pic.twitter.com/J5PK63HsJS
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) November 13, 2023