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Convicted Jan. 6 Rioters Are Running for Congress. House Republicans Aren’t Fazed.

Some sitting Republican members think it’s a question for voters to decide, while others aren’t concerned because they think rioters that day were merely sightseers.

Jacob Chansley, the QAnon Shaman
Jacob Chansley is one of several people who were convicted on Jan. 6 charges now running for Congress. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Nearly 900 people have been convicted of crimes related to breaching the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection. Now, at least four of them are trying to make their way inside the building again, but this time as elected officials.

House Republicans say they’re fine with it.

“Obviously, I want to see the best candidates possible run,” Arizona GOP Rep. Eli Crane told NOTUS. “But at the end of the day, I love it when the American people have variety and choice because that gives them the opportunity to send the best people up here, and I do believe we need better people up here.”