Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Adam Kinzinger
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Adam Kinzinger made an impact.
Adam Kinzinger is an American politician, political commentator for CNN, and former Air National Guard lieutenant colonel. He served as a U.S. Representative for Illinois from 2011 to 2023, initially representing the 11th and later the 16th congressional district. A Republican, Kinzinger gained prominence for his vocal criticism of Donald Trump and his role on the January 6th Committee. His stance often put him at odds with his own party, marking him as a notable voice and figure within contemporary American politics.
1998: Elected to McLean County Board
In 1998, while a student at Illinois State, Adam Kinzinger was elected as a county board member in McLean County, defeating an incumbent.
November 2003: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant
In November 2003, Adam Kinzinger was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
2003: Resigned from McLean County Board
Adam Kinzinger resigned from the McLean County Board in 2003.
January 2009: Met with Republican Representatives to Discuss Congressional Run
In January 2009, Adam Kinzinger met with Republican U.S. Representatives Mike Pence, Mark Kirk, and Peter Roskam to discuss a possible run for Congress.
February 2, 2010: Won Republican Primary
On February 2, 2010, Adam Kinzinger won the five-candidate Republican primary with 64% of the vote.
November 2, 2010: Defeated Debbie Halvorson
On November 2, 2010, Adam Kinzinger defeated Debbie Halvorson with 57–43%.
2010: Elected to Congress
In 2010, Adam Kinzinger was first elected to Congress representing the 11th district.
2011: Became US Representative
In 2011, Adam Kinzinger became a United States Representative from Illinois.
2013: Sponsored Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act
In 2013, Adam Kinzinger sponsored the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act to make it easier for veterans to get civilian licenses, though it was not voted on by the Senate.
June 5, 2014: Introduced Bill on Thermal Insulation in Federal Buildings
On June 5, 2014, Adam Kinzinger introduced a bill requiring a report on the effects of thermal insulation on energy consumption in federal buildings.
2014: Won Republican Primary Against David Hale
In 2014, Adam Kinzinger faced David Hale in the Republican primary and won with 78% of the vote.
2015: Voted to uphold Obama's 2014 executive order
In 2015, Adam Kinzinger was one of 60 Republicans voting to uphold President Barack Obama's 2014 executive order banning federal contractors from making hiring decisions that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
March 2016: Won Republican Primary
In March 2016, Adam Kinzinger won the Republican primary with 100% of the vote.
March 2016: Senate version written for Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act
In March 2016, Senators Chris Murphy and Rob Portman wrote the United States Senate version of the bipartisan bill Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act.
November 30, 2016: Legislators Approved Measure Against Foreign Propaganda
On November 30, 2016, legislators approved a measure within the National Defense Authorization Act to ask the U.S. State Department to take action against foreign propaganda.
2016: Voted for Maloney Amendment to H.R. 5055
In 2016, Adam Kinzinger was one of 43 Republicans to vote for the Maloney Amendment to H.R. 5055, intended to prohibit the use of funds for government contractors who discriminate against LGBT employees.
2017: Voted to repeal Obamacare
In 2017, Adam Kinzinger voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
2018: Remained Only Republican Representing Significant Part of Northern Illinois
After the 2018 midterm elections, Adam Kinzinger was left as the only Republican representing a significant part of northern Illinois in Congress.
February 2019: Deployed to Mexico-United States Border
In February 2019, Adam Kinzinger was deployed to the Mexico–United States border as part of efforts to maintain border security, while serving with the Air National Guard.
2019: Voted against the Equality Act
In 2019, Adam Kinzinger voted against the Equality Act.
December 2020: Denounced Trump's claims of election fraud
In December 2020, Adam Kinzinger denounced Trump's claims that the election was stolen, criticized Trump's attempt to overturn the results, and called for Trump to delete his Twitter account.
2020: Defeated Dani Brzozowski
In 2020, Adam Kinzinger defeated Democrat Dani Brzozowski in the election with 65% of the vote.
2020: Voted for Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020
In 2020, Adam Kinzinger voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 1158), which effectively prohibits ICE from cooperating with Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs).
2020: Testimony Featuring Trump Trying to Overturn Election
The June 23, 2022, hearing featured testimony from former Department of Justice officials describing how Trump tried to enlist them in his fight to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
January 7, 2021: Called for Trump's removal from office
On January 7, 2021, Adam Kinzinger became the first Republican member of the House to call for Trump's removal from office via the 25th Amendment following the storming of the U.S. Capitol.
March 11, 2021: Voted for Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
On March 11, 2021, Adam Kinzinger was one of eight Republican representatives who voted to pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.
October 21, 2021: Voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress
On October 21, 2021, Adam Kinzinger was one of nine House Republicans to vote to hold Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the January 6 Committee.
October 29, 2021: Announced He Would Not Seek Reelection
On October 29, 2021, Adam Kinzinger announced that he would not seek reelection to Congress in 2022.
November 14, 2021: Expressed regret for vote against Trump's first impeachment
On November 14, 2021, Adam Kinzinger said he regretted voting against Trump's first impeachment and called Tucker Carlson a "manipulative son of a bitch".
2021: Voted against the Equality Act
In 2021, Adam Kinzinger voted against the Equality Act. Nonetheless, he affirmed his support for the LGBT community and commitment to finding a suitable compromise that also protects religious liberty after his 2021 "no" vote.
2021: Impeachment Vote and January 6th Committee
In 2021, Adam Kinzinger voted to impeach Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection. He was also appointed to the select committee investigating the January 6th United States Capitol attack.
2021: Sponsored the Fairness for All Act
In 2021, Adam Kinzinger was one of 21 House Republicans to sponsor the Fairness for All Act, the Republican alternative to the Equality Act.
2021: Launched Country First PAC
In early 2021, Adam Kinzinger launched the Country First PAC to reform the Republican Party and distance it from far-right conspiracies, including QAnon.
February 2022: Supported providing aid to Ukraine
In February 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Adam Kinzinger supported providing aid to Ukraine and criticized Republicans who opposed the aid.
May 29, 2022: Announced being "open to" assault weapons ban
On May 29, 2022, Adam Kinzinger announced that he was "open to" an assault weapons ban following the Robb Elementary School shooting.
June 23, 2022: Oversaw Fifth Public Hearing
On June 23, 2022, Adam Kinzinger oversaw its fifth public hearing, serving as the lead questioner of witnesses.
July 19, 2022: Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act
On July 19, 2022, Adam Kinzinger and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.
July 21, 2022: Led questioning in January 6 Committee hearing
On July 21, 2022, Adam Kinzinger and Elaine Luria led the questioning in the eighth televised hearing of the January 6 Committee.
December 8, 2022: Absent from final vote on Respect for Marriage Act
On December 8, 2022, Adam Kinzinger was absent from the final vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, but reportedly still intended to vote yes.
December 15, 2022: Farewell Address to Congress
On December 15, 2022, Adam Kinzinger delivered his farewell address to Congress, cautioning against conspiracy theories, falsehoods, threats to democracy, and rising authoritarianism, while criticizing the Republican Party.
2022: Voted in favor of support to Ukraine
In 2022, Adam Kinzinger consistently voted in favor of support to Ukraine, including the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, H.R. 956, H.R. 7108, and H.R. 7691. He also introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force resolution and sponsored a House bill to give training to Ukrainian Air Force pilots.
2022: Joined CNN as Political Commentator
In 2022, Adam Kinzinger did not seek reelection to Congress and subsequently joined CNN as a senior political commentator.
2022: Voted in favor of the Global Respect Act
In 2022, Adam Kinzinger was one of six Republicans to vote in favor of the Global Respect Act, which imposes sanctions on foreign persons responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights against LGBTQI individuals.
2022: Voted for Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022
In 2022, Adam Kinzinger was one of three Republicans to vote for H.R. 8297: Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022.
2022: Voted for America COMPETES Act of 2022
In 2022, Adam Kinzinger was the only minority member to vote for the America COMPETES Act of 2022, after House leadership urged a "No" vote.
2022: Not Seeking Reelection
In 2022, Adam Kinzinger would not seek reelection to Congress, after redistricting placed him and another Republican incumbent, Darin LaHood, in the same district.
2022: J6 Panel
In 2022, during the January 6th panel, Kinzinger criticized Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Scott Perry.
2022: Supported candidates running against election deniers
In the 2022 midterm elections, Country First supported candidates running against 2020 election deniers, focusing on pro-democracy candidates in secretary of state races to oversee the 2024 presidential election administration. Kinzinger endorsed Democrats, Republicans, and independents through Country First.
January 4, 2023: Joined CNN as Senior Political Commentator
After leaving Congress, Adam Kinzinger joined CNN as a senior political commentator on January 4, 2023.
February 2023: Announced upcoming book release
In February 2023, it was announced that Adam Kinzinger was scheduled to release a book called Renegade: My Life in Faith, the Military, and Defending America from Trump's Attack on Democracy in October 2023.
October 2023: Scheduled book release
In October 2023, Adam Kinzinger was scheduled to release a book called Renegade: My Life in Faith, the Military, and Defending America from Trump's Attack on Democracy.
2023: Left US Representative
In 2023, Adam Kinzinger left his role as US Representative from Illinois.
2023: Country First ran negative advertisements
In the 2023 special election to fill a vacancy in the Wisconsin Senate, Country First ran negative advertisements to prevent the victory of Trumpist Janel Brandtjen in the Republican primary, which she ultimately did not win.
August 2024: Addressed Democratic National Convention
In August 2024, Adam Kinzinger addressed the Democratic National Convention, denouncing the Republican Party and proclaiming his support for Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.
2024: Documentary film released
In Fall 2024, director Steve Pink released the documentary film The Last Republican, which followed Adam Kinzinger through his last term in office, and detailed his work on the January 6th Committee.
2024: Country First supported Chris Christie's presidential campaign
Prior to the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, Country First sent out an email asking donors to give to Chris Christie's presidential campaign to ensure the candidate's appearance on the primary debate stage. Country First itself also donated to Christie's campaign. Kinzinger endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election before shifting his support to Biden's running mate and Vice President Kamala Harris following Biden's withdrawal from the election.
January 20, 2025: Preemptive Pardon Announced
On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden preemptively pardoned January 6th Committee members, including Kinzinger, from potential future prosecution by the incoming Trump administration.
