A Texas state representative north of Dallas is facing a tough primary challenge from a candidate who was convicted of breaching the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The challenger, Larry Brock, is an Air Force veteran who spent two years in prison for entering the Capitol that day, but was later pardoned by former President Trump. Brock is now running to unseat the incumbent, Jared Patterson, in their deeply Republican district, arguing he is more aligned with the party's hard-right primary voters.

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Texas Republican Incumbent Faces Pardoned Jan. 6 Defendant

A conservative Texas lawmaker is challenged by an Air Force veteran who was convicted for breaching the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Why it matters

This race highlights the growing influence of far-right candidates in Republican primaries, even those with criminal convictions related to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. It also reflects the ongoing debate within the GOP over how to handle those involved in the riot, with the incumbent arguing the challenger is "completely unfit" to serve.

The details

Larry Brock, the challenger, has defended his actions on January 6th, arguing he and others were caught up in an "entrapment operation" by the government. He is also running on an "America first" platform that includes banning Islamic head-coverings and investments that conform to Islamic religious rules. The incumbent, Jared Patterson, is running on a conservative platform of border security, lower taxes, and keeping sexually explicit books out of school libraries, but has been painted as insufficiently conservative by far-right operatives.

On January 6, 2021, Larry Brock breached the U.S. Capitol.
Brock was convicted and spent two years in prison for his actions on January 6th.
Former President Trump pardoned Brock shortly after taking office for his second term in 2025.

The players

Larry Brock

An Air Force veteran who was convicted of breaching the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and is now running to unseat the incumbent Texas state representative in the Republican primary.

Jared Patterson

The incumbent Texas state representative north of Dallas who is facing a tough primary challenge from Larry Brock.

Rick Abraham

A Navy veteran who is also running in the Republican primary for the Texas state representative seat.

Joe Mayes

The Democrat running unopposed in the general election for the Texas state representative seat.

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What they’re saying

“I'm an America first guy, and I am a Christian. If elected, he said he would work to pass bans on Islamic head-coverings and on investments that conform to Islamic religious rules.”

— Larry Brock (The New York Times)

“Effective conservatives are under attack from a fringe element in the party, but I don't think they're going to successful. He is a victim of his own choices that he's made in life and I don't believe that will be rewarded at the ballot box.”

— Jared Patterson, Texas State Representative (The New York Times)

What’s next

The Republican primary election will be held on Tuesday, and if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election.

The takeaway

This race highlights the growing influence of far-right candidates in Republican primaries, even those with criminal convictions related to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. It reflects the ongoing debate within the GOP over how to handle those involved in the riot, and the potential for more extreme candidates to gain traction in deeply conservative districts.

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Texas Republican Incumbent Faces Pardoned Jan. 6 Defendant - Dallas Today