Chuck Hand, a man whose list of credentials includes "convicted Jan. 6 rioter" and "walking out of televised debates," is running as a Republican candidate to represent Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. On June 9, 2024, during a debate against Wayne Johnson, Hand decided to abruptly walk out, adding another episode to his growing series of dramatic exits (USA Today, Fox News).

Scheduled for June 18, 2024, the primary runoff election will decide whether Hand or Johnson gets the Republican ticket to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop in November. Hand’s strategy seems to be as erratic as it is memorable, with walking out now touted as his "signature move."

Hand, who served 20 days in federal prison for illegally demonstrating during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, justified his walkout by claiming Johnson made unwarranted attacks on his wife and questioned Johnson’s residency status. Johnson doesn't currently reside in the 2nd Congressional District, a point Hand found particularly objectionable, even though it's not a requirement for congressional candidates (NBC News).

Rumbling in with almost 45% of the vote in the May 21 primary, compared to Hand's 32% (Fox News), Johnson remained unruffled by Hand's departure and suggested it shows Hand isn't fit to be the Republican nominee. Michael Nixon, a former primary candidate, endorsed Johnson, attacking Hand for his significant criminal background and calling him financially irresponsible (USA Today).

Meanwhile, Hand's wife, who served a year in prison for the illegal sale of oxycodone, has also brought scrutiny upon his campaign. This seems to be a family well-versed in legal affairs, though not quite in the manner typically desired by aspiring public servants.

Remarkably, Hand is not an isolated case; he’s one of at least four people convicted of Jan. 6-related offenses running for Congress this year, all as Republicans (NBC News). It's evidently a new movement—criminal convictions as a prerequisite for elected office.

Throughout the debate debacle, Hand criticized Johnson for orchestrating what he called unfair attacks on his wife and emphasized that living outside the district should disqualify Johnson. Johnson, however, plans to move into a house he owns in Plains, Georgia, if elected (Fox News).

Hand's walkout could be seen as a stroke of political genius or a desperate attempt to steer attention. Either way, he has put a distinctive mark on the campaign trail, making his exits as unforgettable as his entrance into politics. The big question remains: Will Chuck Hand's signature move be enough to win votes or just a memorable hiccup in Georgia politics? One thing's for certain: when Chuck Hand leaves the stage, everyone talks about it.

Whether Hand can convert this dramatic flair into a tangible win against Sanford Bishop remains a subject of keen public interest. Given the current political climate, where spectacle often overshadows substantive debate, perhaps Hand's unpredictable blend of courtroom drama and reality TV will find its audience among the voters.

So, fasten your seatbelts, forward your mail to the edge of your seat, and stay tuned for more exits, non-apologies, and family revelations. This is one race where the term "political theater" feels quite literal.