PHOENIX (AP) — Spear-carrying rioter, Jacob Chansley, known for his distinctive ensemble during the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol assault, has expressed his desire to run for Congress. Chansley, aged 35, revealed his interest in running as a Libertarian for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District in the upcoming 2024 election through online paperwork filed on Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko, a 64-year-old Republican who has been representing the district since 2018, announced last month that she won’t seek re-election as her term officially ends in January 2025.
Having pleaded guilty to the felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding tied to the Capitol insurrection, Chansley was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 and served approximately 27 months before being transferred to a Phoenix halfway house in March 2023. Chansley is a native of the greater Phoenix area.
More than 700 individuals have now been sentenced for Capitol riot-related federal crimes, and Chansley, one of the initial rioters to enter the Capitol building, admitted to using a bullhorn to incite the crowd.
While previously affiliated with the “QAnon Shaman” persona, Chansley has distanced himself from the QAnon movement. In his statement of interest paperwork filed with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, he identified himself as Jacob Angeli-Chansley.
Although the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit felons from holding federal office, Arizona law bars felons from voting until they have completed their sentence and had their civil rights restored. Emails sent to Chansley and his attorney regarding his political ambitions went unanswered Sunday.
