These Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6. Now, they're political candidates
Several individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol and participated in the deadly riots on Jan. 6 are now running for public office.
From city council to governor, fierce supporters of former President Donald Trump are seeking all types of government positions — from Nebraska to New Jersey — to continue his agenda by reshaping traditional politics, according to The Daily Beast.
Although many are facing criminal charges for their involvement in the riots, that has not stopped their political aspirations. The publication reports that Charles Herbster, who claimed he spent Jan. 5 with Trump's sons discussing ways to hinder the certification of President Joe Biden's election victory, is now running for governor of Nebraska.
Jason Howland, a candidate running for Michigan's 31st House District in the 2022 primary, was also seen on the Capitol steps; Last year, Howland became a popular name among right-wing conservatives after forming the group American Patriot Council. Amid the Capitol rights, Howland was also said to have been one of the members of the mob that stormed the Capitol.
As Howland and the mob reportedly pushed past officers under the bleachers, videos appear to show his APC co-founder Ryan Kelley, who is running for governor of Michigan, in sunglasses and a black and white American flag cap, filming on his phone as rioters shouted "We're in! We're in!" In March, Kelley admitted to Michigan Live, which ID'd him in multiple videos, that he was in Washington that day to back Trump and referred to an event that day as "energizing."
The publication also highlights a rising New Jersey political candidate by the name of Edward Durfee, who currently serves as chair of the Northvale Republican Club. He is also a candidate for the state's 37th Assembly District. Outside of public politics, he has also been a member of the Oath Keepers for more than a decade.
Along with the potential candidates, the Beast reports that there were also a number of current state and local politicians officials who participated in the Capitol riots. So far, the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI have charged more than 200 individuals in connection with the deadly Capitol insurrection.
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