Republican Convicted in Jan. 6 Riot in Georgia Leaves Debate
A Georgia congressional candidate who was convicted of a misdemeanor for demonstrating inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, abruptly left a televised debate with a fellow Republican on Sunday before a June 18 primary runoff.
The district, southwest Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, is witnessing a heated rivalry between Chuck Hand and Wayne Johnson as they vie for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop in November’s election.
Hand is among several individuals convicted of Jan. 6 crimes who are running for Congress this year, all under the Republican party. He received a 20-day prison sentence and six months of probation.
During a debate organized by the Atlanta Press Club, tensions rose when Hand announced he would not participate in the debate with Johnson after Michael Nixon, who came third in the May primary, publicly endorsed Johnson.
Nixon highlighted previous charges against Hand and suggested that Hand’s involvement in the Jan. 6 riot was more serious than claimed. This led to Hand leaving the studio mid-debate.
Johnson, a former U.S. Education Department official under the Trump administration, criticized Hand’s behavior, indicating it was evidence of his unsuitability as a candidate.
Following his departure from the debate, Hand faced the media, denouncing Johnson’s alleged involvement in orchestrating attacks against him and his family.
Hand, a construction superintendent from rural Butler, maintained his focus on working-class issues, emphasizing his support for Donald Trump and rallying both Black and white workers to his cause.
The runoff between Johnson and Hand is set for June 18, with early in-person voting starting soon. Hand expressed confidence in his grassroots support, emphasizing the importance of connecting with voters over financial resources.
Johnson, on the other hand, adopted a more moderate stance, aiming to appeal to Democratic voters by proposing policies that prioritize their needs, such as preserving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Regardless of the outcome, the 2nd Congressional District’s election promises to be a closely contested race, with both candidates strategizing on how best to secure victory in November.
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