Chuck Hand, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, has advanced to the runoff for the Republican nomination in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District.

Hand will face A. Wayne Johnson, who worked in President Donald Trump’s administration, in the June 18 runoff. The winner will go up against U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, in November in a southwest Georgia seat that still tilts Democratic.

When asked about his Jan. 6 guilty plea and prison sentence during a debate, Hand said he was not shying away from what happened.

“My campaign isn’t based on Jan. 6. The only reason Jan. 6 ever comes up in the campaign is so that you three cannot throw it in my face,” he said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The personal relationship between Fulton County DA Fani Willis (left) and special prosecutor Nathan Wade came under scrutiny during the Georgia election interference case. (Alyssa Pointer and John Bazemore/AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller