History of Adam Kinzinger in Timeline

Adam Kinzinger is an American politician, CNN political commentator, 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 districts. While a Republican, he is known for his vocal criticism of Donald Trump and his role on the January 6th Committee. He chose not to seek reelection in 2022 and is now a senior political commentator.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

February 27, 1978: Adam Kinzinger Born

On February 27, 1978, Adam Daniel Kinzinger was born. He is an American politician, senior political commentator for CNN, and former lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard.

Others born on this day/year

November 2003: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant in Air Force

In November 2003, Adam Kinzinger was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and later awarded his pilot wings.

2006: Kinzinger named "Hero of the Year" by Wisconsin Red Cross

In 2006, the Wisconsin Red Cross named Kinzinger its "Hero of the Year" for disarming a knife-wielding man who had cut a woman's throat in Milwaukee. Kinzinger also received the United States Air Force Airman's Medal and the National Guard's Valley Forge Cross for Heroism for his actions.

January 2009: Meets with Republican Representatives to discuss possible run for Congress

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.

May 2009: Starts Campaigning for Congress

In May 2009, Adam Kinzinger started campaigning full-time for Congress in Illinois's 11th congressional district after returning home from his 3rd tour in Iraq.

February 2, 2010: Won the Republican Primary

On February 2, 2010, Adam Kinzinger won the five-candidate Republican primary with 64% of the vote.

November 2, 2010: Kinzinger defeated Halvorson

On November 2, 2010, Kinzinger defeated Halvorson with 57–43%.

2011: Kinzinger engaged to Riki Meyers

In 2011, Kinzinger was engaged to Air Force Captain Riki Meyers, a fellow pilot.

2011: Kinzinger ranked on The Hill's "50 Most Beautiful People" list

In 2011, Kinzinger was ranked 5th on The Hill's annual "50 Most Beautiful People" list, recognizing individuals who work on Capitol Hill.

2012: Kinzinger and Riki Meyers break engagement

In 2012, Kinzinger and Air Force Captain Riki Meyers ended their engagement.

June 5, 2014: Introduced a bill regarding thermal insulation in federal buildings

On June 5, 2014, Adam Kinzinger introduced a bill (H.R. 4801; 113th Congress) which would require the United States Secretary of Energy to prepare a report on the effects that thermal insulation has on both energy consumption and systems for providing potable water in federal buildings.

March 2016: Introduced the U.S. House version of Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act

In March 2016, Adam Kinzinger introduced the U.S. House version of the bipartisan bill Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act.

August 3, 2016: Announced he would not support Donald Trump

On August 3, 2016, Adam Kinzinger announced publicly that he would not support GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. He also noted that he would not support Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, and was mulling other options.

November 30, 2016: Legislators approved measure to act 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 through an interagency panel. The legislation authorized funding of $160 million over a two-year period, developed through the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act.

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 as part of his continued service with the Air National Guard.

June 2019: Kinzinger engaged to Sofia Boza-Holman

In June 2019, Kinzinger became engaged to Sofia Boza-Holman, a former aide to John Boehner and aide to Vice President Mike Pence.

February 16, 2020: Kinzinger marries Sofia Boza-Holman

On February 16, 2020, Kinzinger married Sofia Boza-Holman.

December 2020: Kinzinger criticizes Trump's election fraud claims and the Texas Republican Party

In December 2020, Adam Kinzinger criticized Donald Trump's repeated claims of election fraud on Twitter. Kinzinger also criticized the Texas Republican Party and called for the firing of its chairman, Allen West, when the party floated the idea of secession.

January 6, 2021: Experiences January 6th Capitol Attack

On January 6, 2021, Adam Kinzinger had an uneasy feeling and asked his wife not to attend the joint session to certify the election. He also told his office staff not to come to work that day and took his Ruger LCP to the Capitol and to the Rayburn House Office Building. He barricaded the doors of his office and took out his gun during the Capitol attack.

January 7, 2021: Kinzinger calls for Trump's removal after Capitol attack

On January 7, 2021, following the storming of the U.S. Capitol, Adam Kinzinger became the first Republican House member to advocate for Donald Trump's removal from office via the 25th Amendment, citing dereliction of duty. He called for Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment, describing Trump as "unfit" and "unwell".

February 4, 2021: Voted to Strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of Committee Assignments

On February 4, 2021, Adam Kinzinger joined 10 other Republican House members voting with all voting Democrats to strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of her House Education and Labor Committee and House Budget Committee assignments in response to controversial political statements she had made.

February 24, 2021: Kinzinger Responds to Greene's Transgender Comments

On February 24, 2021, Adam Kinzinger responded to Marjorie Taylor Greene's anti-transgender sign by criticizing her behavior and expressing support for Marie Newman's transgender daughter.

March 11, 2021: Vote on Bipartisan Background Checks Act

On March 11, 2021, Adam Kinzinger was among eight Republican representatives who voted in favor of passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.

April 9, 2021: Called for Matt Gaetz to resign

On April 9, 2021, Adam Kinzinger called for Matt Gaetz to resign while he was being investigated on sex trafficking charges.

May 19, 2021: Voted to create National Commission to Investigate January 6th Attack

On May 19, 2021, Adam Kinzinger and 34 other Republican House members voted to create a National Commission to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol Complex.

July 1, 2021: Voiced disdain about sanctions against Republicans on House committee

On July 1, 2021, Adam Kinzinger voiced disdain about sanctions threatened by Republican leadership against Republican lawmakers who would participate in a House committee to investigate the Capitol attack.

September 5, 2021: Kinzinger on CNN's State of the Union

During a September 5, 2021, interview on CNN's State of the Union, Adam Kinzinger said his party "desperately needs to tell the truth", that if the party pushes lies and conspiracy theories, it does not deserve to win Congressional majorities in the 2022 elections.

October 21, 2021: Kinzinger Votes to Hold Steve Bannon in Contempt

On October 21, 2021, Adam Kinzinger was one of nine House Republicans who voted to hold 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, after redistricting placed him and another Republican incumbent, Darin LaHood, in the same district.

November 5, 2021: Voted for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 5, 2021, Adam Kinzinger was one of 13 House Republicans to break with their party and vote with a majority of Democrats for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

November 14, 2021: Kinzinger Regrets Vote Against First Trump Impeachment

In a November 14, 2021, interview with Rolling Stone, Adam Kinzinger expressed regret for his vote against Donald Trump's first impeachment, stating, "If I went back in time, I would vote for the first impeachment." He also called Tucker Carlson a "manipulative son of a bitch".

2021: Kinzinger votes to impeach Trump and join January 6th committee

In 2021, Kinzinger was among the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting insurrection. He also voted to create, and was appointed to, the select committee investigating the January 6th United States Capitol attack.

January 2022: Kinzinger's son born

In January 2022, Kinzinger and Sofia Boza-Holman's son, Christian Adam Kinzinger, was born.

February 4, 2022: RNC Censure of Kinzinger

On February 4, 2022, the Republican National Committee (RNC) censured Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney for their involvement in the House investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, referring to the events of January 6 as "legitimate political discourse."

May 29, 2022: Kinzinger "open to" assault weapons ban

On May 29, 2022, Adam Kinzinger publicly stated that he was "open to" supporting an assault weapons ban following the Robb Elementary School shooting that resulted in 22 fatalities.

June 23, 2022: Oversees January 6th hearing

On June 23, 2022, Adam Kinzinger oversaw the fifth public hearing of the House Committee investigating the January 6 attack and related issues, serving as the lead questioner of witnesses.

July 19, 2022: Kinzinger Votes for Respect for Marriage Act

On July 19, 2022, Adam Kinzinger joined 46 other Republican representatives in voting for the Respect for Marriage Act, aimed at codifying the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.

July 21, 2022: Kinzinger Leads Questioning in January 6 Committee Hearing

On July 21, 2022, Adam Kinzinger and Elaine Luria co-led the questioning during the eighth televised hearing held by the January 6 Committee.

August 16, 2022: Kinzinger Claims Some Equate Trump with Jesus

On August 16, 2022, during an interview on MSNBC, Adam Kinzinger stated that some people equate Donald Trump with Jesus Christ, suggesting that opposing Trump is perceived as opposing Christian values.

December 8, 2022: Kinzinger Intended Vote on Respect for Marriage Act

On December 8, 2022, Adam Kinzinger was absent for the final vote on the Respect for Marriage Act but reportedly still intended to vote in favor of the bill.

December 15, 2022: Kinzinger's Farewell Address

On December 15, 2022, in his farewell address to Congress, Adam Kinzinger cautioned against the influence of conspiracy theories and falsehoods on politics, highlighted threats to American democracy, and noted the rise of authoritarianism and factionalism. He was critical of the Republican Party.

2022: Kinzinger criticizes Republican lawmakers on January 6th panel

In 2022, during the January 6th panel, Kinzinger criticized 5 Republican lawmakers including Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Scott Perry.

January 4, 2023: Joined CNN as senior political commentator

On January 4, 2023, Adam Kinzinger joined CNN as a senior political commentator after leaving Congress.

February 2023: Kinzinger Announces Book Release

In February 2023, it was announced that Adam Kinzinger was scheduled to release his book, Renegade: My Life in Faith, the Military, and Defending America from Trump's Attack on Democracy, in October 2023.

March 2023: Country First's "Break Free" Campaign

In March 2023, individuals wearing straitjackets walked through the United States Capitol building as part of Country First's "Break Free" campaign against political extremism.

October 2023: Scheduled Release of Kinzinger's Book

In October 2023, Adam Kinzinger was scheduled to release his book, Renegade: My Life in Faith, the Military, and Defending America from Trump's Attack on Democracy.

2023: Country First ran negative ads in Wisconsin Senate special election

In 2023, Country First ran negative advertisements in the Wisconsin Senate special election to prevent Janel Brandtjen, a Trumpist, from winning the Republican primary. Brandtjen ultimately did not win.

August 2024: Kinzinger Addresses Democratic National Convention

In August 2024, Adam Kinzinger addressed the Democratic National Convention, denouncing the Republican Party, proclaiming support for Kamala Harris's presidential campaign and criticizing Donald Trump.

October 2024: Shooting range accident involving Kinzinger and Kunce

In October 2024, during an event at a shooting range in Missouri with US Senate Candidate Lucas Kunce, a bullet fragment from an AR-15 struck a TV reporter. Kinzinger and Kunce administered first aid, and the reporter was hospitalized with a minor arm wound. The sheriff's office ruled the incident an accident.

2024: Country First supports Chris Christie and Kinzinger endorses Biden then Harris

In 2024, Country First solicited donations for Chris Christie's presidential campaign and donated to it themselves to ensure he would appear in the primary debate. Kinzinger initially endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election but later switched his endorsement to Kamala Harris after Biden withdrew from the election.

January 20, 2025: Biden announces pardon for January 6th Committee members

On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden announced a preemptive pardon for the January 6th Committee members including Kinzinger from potential future prosecution by the incoming Trump administration.