David Medina, a conservative influencer who gained national attention for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach and the federal case that followed, has officially jumped into Oregon's 2026 governor's race. Medina, based in Sherwood and running a digital media operation, filed his paperwork with the secretary of state and announced his run this week, instantly shaking up the Republican primary with a candidate later pardoned by Donald Trump.
Medina Files, Announces Candidacy
Medina filed his candidacy with the Oregon Secretary of State on Jan. 20 and rolled out his campaign during a live interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson. According to OregonLive, he pitched his run as a way for “ordinary Oregonians” to reclaim control of the state and declared during the interview, “now is the time for us to rise up and take our state back.” His campaign materials describe him as a lifelong Oregonian and the operator of a digital media organization with multiple employees.
Federal Charges And Pardon
Federal authorities arrested Medina in early 2024 on allegations that he entered the U.S. Capitol, obstructed an official proceeding, and damaged government property, including a wooden nameplate, according to KPTV. The complaint against him included a felony obstruction charge along with several misdemeanors. The case effectively ended after President Trump issued a mass pardon for Jan. 6 defendants on Jan. 20, 2025, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Local Protests And Past Actions
Medina's political story in Oregon did not start in Washington, D.C. Footage from a Dec. 2020 incident at the Oregon State Capitol appears to show him in a crowd that tried to force its way into the building, and local reporting later connected some of the same participants to the Capitol breach in Washington, D.C., days later. According to KLCC, video and photos reviewed by local outlets place Medina at both events and depict confrontations with Oregon State Police. Campaign aides characterize those episodes as part of his history of activism and insist that, in the governor's race, Medina intends to focus on public safety, education, and economic opportunity.
Where He Fits In The Race
Republican strategists and local reporters describe Medina's campaign as a long-shot. He has never held elected office and is up against better-known Republican rivals with deeper fundraising networks. KPTV notes that the GOP primary field already includes state lawmakers and a county commissioner, and local outlets report that the eventual Republican nominee will likely face incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek in November. Medina, however, does bring a sizeable social media audience to the race, giving him a louder megaphone than many first-time candidates. Whether those followers become actual voters is the test ahead this spring.
Legal Implications
Although the presidential pardon removed Medina's federal criminal exposure related to Jan. 6, legal analysts and local reporters point out that clemency does not erase the public record or protect a candidate from state-level investigations or civil claims. Coverage by Jefferson Public Radio explains that a pardon ends federal criminal liability tied to specific offenses but leaves other legal and reputational consequences in place. For now, Medina's more immediate challenges are raising money, meeting election deadlines, and convincing Oregon voters that his past activism will not be the only thing that defines his candidacy.
