THOMASVILLE — Chuck Hand, an eighth-generation Georgian who is running for the Second Congressional District, spoke at the Thomasville GOP on Tuesday afternoon. Most of the seats in the room were filled as Hand pleaded his case with potential voters. Hand works as a construction superintendent and presents himself as an everyday man.

“I’ve seen businessmen, lawyers, pastors, you name it take a stab at this,” Hand said. “I’m coming at this as an everyday, 8 to 5, paycheck to paycheck working person.”

Hand stated that being an “everyday man” makes him an attractive candidate. He consistently stated that, while fundraising is important, it is not his focus. According to Hand, politics has become about money and that isn’t what he is about, capping that idea off by saying, “Keep your money, I want your vote.”

Hand, who currently serves as vice chairman of the northern portion of the second district GOP, and his wife Mandy are actively involved in the Republican party in Taylor County and spoke heavily about the need for change in the government that will benefit those who are struggling financially.

Hand also chose to address the baggage that comes with his name. Hand and his wife were both incarcerated after taking part in the Jan. 6 riots in Washington, D.C.

“Yes, I was at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Yes, me and my wife walked inside of our capitol on Jan. 6 holding hands,” Hand said. “We did no damage, no harm, no ill-will. We were there to protest an election that was stolen from us.”

Numerous investigations, audits and failed lawsuits alleging election fraud and ballots, however, have dispelled Hand’s false accusations.

Hand spent a large portion of his speech addressing what happened on Jan. 6 and the aftermath that impacted him and his family. Hand and his wife were convicted of parading and picketing, a misdemeanor crime that Hand said they were convicted of to set an example to others. Hand served three weeks in a federal prison in Atlanta, while his wife served two weeks in Tallahassee. They were not imprisoned at the same time.

Although convicted, Hand maintains his innocence, claiming he did nothing wrong and that he was sent to prison for “holding my wife’s hand.”

Court documents for Hand’s case show that he broke off a piece of metal fencing on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol before placing it in his back pants pocket.

“I have a lot of baggage with the Jan. 6 stuff, but it’s nothing like they make it out to be,” he said.

After his speech, Hand took questions from the audience. He expounded on his statements about election integrity and his immediate goals if he is elected. Hand spoke on how he plans to connect with minority communities and the younger generation. Hand’s most compelling point was his idea that this is a job, the campaign trail is a job interview, and he wants to be hired.

“It’s a job representing one of the largest districts in the country,” said Hand. “We need someone who is going to take this job and turn this district around to prevent it from continuing to be one of the poorest districts in the country.”