Adam Kinzinger

Adam Kinzinger
Official portrait, 2021
Adam Kinzinger
Born	Adam Daniel Kinzinger 27 2, 1978
Birthplace	Kankakee, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Political commentator, former U.S. Representative, former military officer
Known for	Service on the January 6th Committee; opposition to Donald Trump's election fraud claims
Education	Illinois State University (BA)
Children	1
Awards	Air Medal (6)

Adam Daniel Kinzinger (born February 27, 1978) is an American politician, political commentator, and retired United States Air Force and Air National Guard officer who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from 2011 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Kinzinger initially represented Illinois's 11th congressional district before transferring to Illinois's 16th congressional district following redistricting after the 2010 census. During his six terms in Congress, Kinzinger built a reputation as a national security–focused legislator with a background in military aviation. He became one of the most prominent Republican critics of former President Donald Trump following the 2020 presidential election, particularly for his opposition to Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud and efforts to overturn the election results. Kinzinger was one of only two Republican members appointed to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. He did not seek reelection in 2022 and, after leaving Congress, joined CNN as a senior political commentator. In 2025, he became the subject of a documentary film titled The Last Republican, directed by Steve Pink, which chronicled his final year in office.

Early Life

Adam Daniel Kinzinger was born on February 27, 1978, in Kankakee, Illinois. He grew up in the area surrounding Kankakee and Bloomington in central Illinois. Kinzinger developed an early interest in politics and public service. As a young man, he was involved in local Republican politics and later became a McLean County Board member, one of the youngest individuals to hold such a position in the county's history.

Before entering elected office at the federal level, Kinzinger gained public attention in 2006 when he intervened to assist a woman who was being attacked with a knife in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The incident, which was covered by local and regional media, demonstrated the hands-on character that would later define aspects of his political persona.

Education

Kinzinger attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His time at Illinois State University later led the institution to recognize his public service career; the university's Department of Politics and Government established an award bearing his name.

Military Service

Kinzinger's military career was a central element of his public identity throughout his time in Congress. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and later served with the Air National Guard, specifically the Wisconsin Air National Guard. His service years spanned from 2003 to 2023, and he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During his military career, Kinzinger served as a pilot and was deployed to multiple overseas operations, including tours related to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. His service was recognized with the Air Medal, which he received six times. Kinzinger continued to serve in the Air National Guard while simultaneously serving in Congress, a dual role he maintained for much of his legislative career. His military background informed his positions on national security and foreign policy during his time in the House of Representatives.

Career

Entry into Politics and 2010 Congressional Campaign

Kinzinger began considering a run for Congress in 2009, with early reports indicating his interest in challenging Democratic incumbent Debbie Halvorson in Illinois's 11th congressional district. His candidacy attracted early support from conservative activists and organizations who saw his military background and youth as assets in a competitive district.

In the 2010 Republican primary for the 11th congressional district, Kinzinger secured the nomination. He went on to defeat Halvorson in the November 2010 general election, part of the broader Tea Party-fueled Republican wave that swept across the country that year. Kinzinger's victory was seen as emblematic of the shift in suburban and exurban districts across the Midwest during the 2010 midterm cycle.

Redistricting and Move to the 16th District

Following the 2010 census, Illinois underwent significant congressional redistricting. The new district map, drawn by the Democratic-controlled state legislature, largely merged Kinzinger's 11th district with the neighboring 16th congressional district, which was held by longtime Republican incumbent Don Manzullo. Rather than seek reelection in a substantially redrawn district, Kinzinger chose to run in the new 16th district, setting up a primary contest with Manzullo.

The 2012 Republican primary between Kinzinger and Manzullo was one of the most closely watched incumbent-versus-incumbent primary races in the country. Kinzinger defeated Manzullo and went on to win the general election in the new 16th district. He subsequently won reelection in the district in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020, often by comfortable margins in the solidly Republican-leaning central and northern Illinois district.

Legislative Focus and Policy Positions

During his tenure in Congress, Kinzinger focused primarily on national security, foreign affairs, and energy policy. His military background shaped his positions on defense spending and veterans' affairs, and he was generally supportive of a robust American presence abroad.

On energy policy, Kinzinger served as vice chair of the Alliance to Save Energy and advocated for energy efficiency measures as a component of national security strategy. He signed a pledge against climate tax legislation promoted by Americans for Prosperity, reflecting his alignment with conservative fiscal principles on environmental regulation.

Kinzinger also faced periodic primary challenges from further-right candidates. In one notable instance, a Tea Party–aligned challenger named David Hale announced a primary challenge against Kinzinger, reflecting tensions within the Republican Party between establishment-aligned members and the growing populist wing.

Opposition to Trump and the January 6th Committee

Kinzinger's most prominent period of national visibility came after the 2020 presidential election, when he became one of the few Republican members of Congress to publicly and consistently challenge former President Donald Trump's claims that the election had been marred by widespread fraud. Kinzinger called on his fellow Republicans to accept the results of the election and warned that the party's embrace of conspiracy theories posed a danger to democratic institutions.

Following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Kinzinger was one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for incitement of insurrection during Trump's second impeachment. This vote placed him in direct conflict with much of the Republican base and party leadership.

In July 2021, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Kinzinger to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, making him one of only two Republicans—alongside Liz Cheney of Wyoming—to serve on the panel. His participation in the committee's investigation, which included public hearings examining the events leading up to and during the Capitol breach, drew significant media attention and further isolated him within the Republican conference.

Kinzinger has continued to speak publicly about the significance of the January 6 insurrection after leaving office. In January 2026, he participated in events marking the anniversary of the attack, alongside Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who testified about the importance of protecting the rule of law.

Decision Not to Seek Reelection

In October 2021, Kinzinger announced that he would not seek reelection to Congress in 2022. The announcement came amid another round of redistricting in Illinois following the 2020 census, which further reshaped his district in a manner that made a Republican primary victory more difficult given his opposition to Trump. Additionally, Kinzinger faced strong intraparty backlash for his impeachment vote and his service on the January 6th Committee, with many Republican voters and officials in his district openly critical of his positions. His congressional term ended on January 3, 2023.

Post-Congressional Career

After leaving Congress, Kinzinger joined CNN as a senior political commentator, a role in which he provides analysis on political developments, particularly those related to the Republican Party and its direction. In this capacity, he has commented on a range of subjects, including the internal dynamics of the GOP and the actions of Trump-aligned members of Congress. In December 2025, he appeared on CNN to react to an interview in which Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene discussed her evolving stance on Trump. In November 2025, he appeared on CNN to discuss a deal between Senate Democrats and Republicans to end a government shutdown.

Kinzinger has also become an active public speaker on topics related to democracy, bipartisanship, and the state of the Republican Party. In November 2025, he delivered a keynote address at Stanford University's Democracy Day event, speaking to students about extremism and the importance of bipartisan cooperation. During the speech, he told the audience, "We're here to create a democracy together." He also spoke at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival, sitting down with Sam Stein of The Bulwark to discuss national politics.

The Last Republican Documentary

In late 2025, a documentary film titled The Last Republican, directed by filmmaker Steve Pink, was released. The film focuses on the final year of Kinzinger's time in Congress and his role on the January 6th Committee. In interviews surrounding the release of the documentary, Kinzinger discussed a range of topics including Trump, the Jeffrey Epstein case, and what he described as the transformation of the Republican Party. He also discussed the film in an interview with The Contrarian, reflecting on the experience of being documented during one of the most turbulent periods in recent congressional history.

Personal Life

Kinzinger was born and raised in the Kankakee and Bloomington areas of central Illinois. He has one child. He has spoken publicly about the personal toll that his political stances, particularly his opposition to Trump and his participation on the January 6th Committee, have taken on his relationships with family members and former political allies. In various media appearances and in the documentary The Last Republican, he has discussed receiving threats and experiencing estrangement from some relatives who disagreed with his positions.

Recognition

Kinzinger received several forms of recognition during and after his congressional career. His military service was recognized with six awards of the Air Medal for his service as a pilot during deployments overseas.

In 2011, The Hill named Kinzinger to its annual list of the "50 Most Beautiful People" in Washington, a lighthearted feature that nonetheless reflected his rising profile as a young member of Congress.

Illinois State University, his alma mater, recognized his career in public service by establishing an award in his name through the Department of Politics and Government.

The 2025 documentary The Last Republican brought renewed attention to Kinzinger's congressional career and his role in defending democratic norms during and after the 2020 election. The film was covered by outlets including Variety and The Contrarian, and Kinzinger participated in a series of public appearances and media interviews to discuss its themes.

Legacy

Kinzinger's legacy is defined in significant part by his willingness to break with the majority of his party during and after the Trump presidency. As one of only ten House Republicans to vote for Trump's second impeachment and one of two Republicans on the January 6th Committee, Kinzinger occupied a distinctive position in early 2020s American politics. His actions drew comparisons to other Republicans who challenged their party's direction, and they cost him his congressional career, as he chose not to seek reelection in a political environment that had become hostile to his positions within the GOP.

His post-congressional career as a commentator and public speaker has kept him in the national conversation about the future of the Republican Party and the broader state of American democracy. His appearances at events such as Stanford University's Democracy Day and the Texas Tribune Festival have positioned him as a voice for bipartisan cooperation and democratic norms within a polarized political landscape.

The documentary The Last Republican serves as a historical record of the tensions within the Republican Party during this period and Kinzinger's role within them. Whether Kinzinger's brand of Republicanism—rooted in national security conservatism, institutional norms, and a rejection of populist authoritarianism—will find a broader audience in future election cycles remains an open question in American political life.