Former FBI Agent Johnathan Curtis Buma Announces Candidacy for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District

Categories: Arizona Breaking NewsArizona State News

Supporters gather at a rally for Johnathan Buma's congressional campaign.

News Summary

Johnathan Curtis Buma, a former FBI agent, has announced his candidacy as a Democrat for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District amid legal challenges. Arrested for allegedly acquiring classified information, Buma believes his actions were justified by political bias at the FBI. His campaign will face scrutiny not only from the Republican Party but also regarding his residency and legal restrictions on travel. Buma intends to address these issues while vying for the congressional seat currently held by Rep. Juan Ciscomani.

Arizona – Johnathan Curtis Buma, a former FBI agent with 14 years of service, has officially announced his candidacy as a Democrat for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. Buma submitted his candidacy paperwork to Arizona’s election commission on April 28th, marking the start of his campaign amid serious legal challenges.

In late March, Buma was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport just before boarding an international flight. Following his arrest, he was released the next day on a $100,000 bond. He faces prosecution in Los Angeles on charges related to illegally acquiring and holding classified information, with the allegations dating back to October 2023.

According to reports, Buma allegedly intended to publish the classified materials in book form. His actions are connected to assertions that he believes the FBI improperly targeted political figures, including Hunter Biden, and suppressed investigations related to Rudy Giuliani. Buma has made it clear that his decision to disclose about 130 classified files was influenced by his perception of a political bias within the FBI, which he claims to have experienced throughout his tenure. In January 2022, he filed a whistleblower complaint addressing what he described as “numerous acts of intelligence suppression” committed by the FBI.

Buma’s legal defense is being managed by attorney Mark Geragos, who also has connections to Hunter Biden’s legal matters. Buma has created a donation platform through ActBlue, emphasizing his commitment to combatting injustice and reflecting on the sacrifices he has reportedly made in pursuit of his cause.

As a candidate, Buma is vying for a congressional seat currently held by Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani. However, his candidacy has drawn criticism from the National Republican Congressional Committee, which claims that his candidacy reflects poorly on the Arizona Democratic Party. Notably, Buma’s residency is cited as Prescott, Arizona, which falls outside the district he intends to contest, raising questions about his eligibility.

Conditions set forth for his release restrict Buma from leaving California, Utah, and the necessary travel routes in between. He has indicated plans to transition his residency entirely into Arizona’s 6th District and intends to address his current legal situation with a judge in the future.

Throughout his career with the FBI, Buma has reportedly faced pushback from internal officials concerning his claims, leading to investigations into his conduct. According to an FBI affidavit, he is accused of taking documents marked with highly classified labels while on leave, adding complexity to his legal challenges.

Buma’s candidacy arrives at a time when political tensions are high, and his whistleblower status has become a focal point in discussions about bias and transparency within federal law enforcement agencies. The outcome of his legal battles may significantly impact not only his campaign but also broader discussions regarding the integrity of the FBI.

As the race for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District continues, Buma’s developments will be closely watched by constituents, political analysts, and both Democratic and Republican parties alike.