One of the more interesting developments emerging from this year’s election race for Minnesota Senate District 15 involves the Jan. 6, 2021, rampage at the U.S. Capitol.

Brian Mock is a Republican candidate in the race to replace Gary Dahms who announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of his term.

During the Lyon County Republican convention earlier this month, Mock briefly spoke about his background — being charged, incarcerated and later pardoned by President Donald Trump for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

In early February, he spoke during the Republican caucuses in Lyon County. In his address to caucus participants, Mock talked about his experiences of being imprisoned after being part of the Jan. 6, 2021 riots in Washington, D.C. “I’m the most heavily charged Jan. 6er in the state of Minnesota,” Mock said. He said his experiences were part of what led him to run for office.

On Monday, during a Republican forum in Wabasso, Mock called out one of his opponents, Tiffany Lesmeister-Knott) for not talking about her presence at Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6.

“One of my opponents here, Tiffany, was there, but she doesn’t talk about it, Mock said during his closing statement.

Lesmeister-Knott responded to Mock’s statement.

“I went to Jan. 6 supporting our president. That happened back then. There’s bigger fish to fry, as we know on waste, fraud and abuse,” she said.

In additional closing statements, Lesmeister-Knott shot back that she “made better choices” on Jan. 6.

At this time, we don’t know what choices Lesmeister-Knott made on Jan. 6, 2021. However, we are well aware of Mock’s Jan. 6 history.

Mock was accused of repeatedly attacking police officers during the riot. According to the criminal prosecution, Mock wielded a police baton as a weapon and stole two riot shields.

He was convicted on 11 counts, including felony assault charges. He spent less three years in jail before pardoned by President Trump.

It’s important to point out that Mock, who lives in Lynd, was one of 14 Minnesota defendants charged for their actions on Jan. 6. He was the only one accused of hurting police.

The Independent does not endorse candidates. However, we feel it’s important to provide voters with as much information on candidates as possible. So in that regard, we appreciate Mock for volunteering his abhorrent past with voters.

We believe attacking law enforcement will be a bridge too far to cross for many voters.

We will see if that’s the case on Aug. 11.