Congressional Candidate Convicted Over Jan. 6 Leaves During Debate: ‘This Is Where I Get Back in My Truck’

Georgia congressional candidate Chuck Hand walked out of his district’s Republican primary debate on Sunday after delivering a speech against his GOP opponent A. Wayne Johnson.

Asked by the moderator whether he would support a controversial bill “to cut food aid for low-income Americans,” Hand – who was convicted of a misdemeanor for taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot – broke off into an unrelated speech attacking his opponent.

“I’m Chuck Hand, lifelong resident of the Second District. I’ve worked side by side with the people of the Second District, solving problems since 2018. I’ve only seen this man next to me come around when it’s election time wanting to run for office,” said Hand during the debate, adding:

I’m not interested in debating the issues of the Second District with a man who doesn’t even reside in it, especially one who orchestrates attacks on my wife. I’m more concerned about beating Sanford Bishop, representing you, and passing the America First agenda, and putting Donald Trump back in the White House. This race is very simple. It’s either Eighth District money or Second District heart. The choice is yours. It’s the dollar versus the change, and this is where I get back in my truck and head back to southwest Georgia because I got two races to win.

Hand then walked off the stage as the moderator called out, “You’re not staying, sir? Are you leaving?”

Hand ignored the moderator and left.

Watch above via PBS.