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Texas Man Charged with Assaulting Officers During Capitol Riot Seeks Office

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Mark Middleton, a 52-year-old man from Forestburg, Texas, is running for a seat in the Texas State House despite facing a slate of federal charges connected to the January 6 insurrection. Middleton, along with his wife Jalise, was indicted on multiple charges, including assault on two DC police officers, obstructing law enforcement, and violent entry. The couple allegedly participated in the Capitol siege and later boasted about their actions on social media.

Middleton's campaign platform includes increased border security, gun rights protections, parents' rights, and the sovereignty of Texas, which could include an "exploration" of secession. The Texas state Republican Party has accepted his candidacy, according to the secretary of state's website.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mark Middleton, a 52-year-old man from Forestburg, Texas, is running for a seat in the Texas State House despite facing federal charges connected to the January 6 insurrection.
  • Middleton and his wife Jalise were indicted on multiple charges, including assault on two DC police officers, obstructing law enforcement, and violent entry.
  • The couple allegedly participated in the Capitol siege and later boasted about their actions on social media.
  • Middleton declined to comment on the charges, but his campaign website details his platform, which includes increased border security, gun rights protections, parents' rights, and the sovereignty of Texas.
  • The Texas state Republican Party has accepted Middleton's candidacy, according to the secretary of state's website.
  • Middleton is challenging Rep. David Spiller in House District 68 in the upcoming March 2022 Republican primary.
  • Middleton and his wife pleaded not guilty to all nine counts in May and remain free on personal recognizance bonds.

Statistics:

  • At least 10 Republicans who attended the "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the Capitol attack won local elections in six states, though most denied breaching the Capitol or playing an active role in the violence that followed.
  • Middleton and his wife face counts of obstructing law enforcement, obstructing justice, knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct, engaging in physical violence, and violent entry.
  • Middletons' campaign website mentions that he "grabbed an officer's hand or wrist, pulling him forward" during the attack, according to the complaint.
  • Middleton was screaming expletives at officers for more than 30 seconds, according to the complaint.

Sources:

  • (https://www.businessinsider.com/capitol-riot-texas-couple-arrested-deleted-facebook-police-officer-assault-2021-4)
  • (https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/middleton-mark)
  • (https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/case-multi-defendant/file/1388961/download)
  • (https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/defendants/middleton-jalise)
  • (https://candidate.texas-election.com/Elections/getQualifiedCandidatesInfo.do)
  • (https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/11/29/north-texas-man-charged-with-assaulting-cops-during-capitol-insurrection-is-running-for-texas-house/)
  • (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/11/30/capitol-riot-mark-middleton-texas-police/)
  • (https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/el/htm/el.141.htm#141.001)

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