Adam Kinzinger

Adam Kinzinger began his distinguished public service career in 1998, elected as a county board member in McLean County, a position he held until 2003. That same year, Kinzinger commenced his military service, joining the United States Air Force and being commissioned as a second lieutenant. He earned his pilot wings and served as a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, executing missions across South America, Guam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Transitioning to flying RC-26 surveillance aircraft, he completed two deployments to Iraq, earning six Air Medals for his service in the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.

He rose through the ranks to lieutenant colonel. In 2010, Kinzinger launched his congressional career, winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Illinois’ 11th congressional district. Following redistricting, he successfully ran in the 16th district in 2012, defeating incumbent Don Manzullo in the Republican primary.

He has remained active in international policy, notably supporting aid to Ukraine in 2022 and sponsoring a House bill to train Ukrainian Air Force pilots. In 2023, he retired from the Air National Guard after 20 years of dedicated service. His recent activities include endorsing Kamala Harris for president in 2024 at the Democratic National Convention, being featured in the 2024 documentary film ‘The Last Republican,’ and lecturing on American politics at Millikin University. He received a preemptive pardon from President Joe Biden in 2025.