Video circulating online reportedly shows Colorado Democrat Christian Schilder restrained in the back of a police transport vehicle following his arrest in Texas, an incident that occurred while he was actively campaigning for the state legislature.
Schilder is the Democratic candidate challenging Republican State Rep. Brandi Bradley in Colorado House District 39. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Official Colorado campaign records show Schilder filed his candidate affidavit in November 2025 and continues to maintain an active campaign.
According to a published Brazos County booking record, Schilder was booked on May 8, 2026, on reported charges of:
- Public intoxication, first offense
- Resisting arrest, search, or transport
The record lists bonds of $300 and $6,000, respectively. Brazos County provides an official online jail-record search portal for public records.
Douglas County Campaign Watch published a graphic that it said reproduced an account from arresting Officer Jonathan Wynn.
According to the officer narrative presented by the organization, Schilder allegedly refused to walk to the patrol vehicle and had to be physically carried by three officers.
Once inside the vehicle, Schilder allegedly began kicking the rear door and attempted to kick another arrested person, according to the attributed police account.
Officers reportedly removed Schilder from the vehicle and placed him in a WRAP restraint system to prevent him from injuring himself or others before transporting him to jail.
The narrative stated that Schilder was subsequently charged with resisting transport.
The graphic reads:
“When we attempted to place him in a patrol car he would not walk and had to be physically carried to the patrol car.”
Douglas County Campaign Watch blasted Schilder after circulating footage that it said showed the Democrat restrained inside a police vehicle.
“This is unacceptable,” the organization said in a Facebook post, arguing that candidates for public office should be held to a higher standard.
“This isn’t an old mistake from years ago,” the group continued. “This happened during the campaign he is running right now.”
The organization called on Schilder to withdraw from the HD39 contest, adding: “The campaign photo may be polished. The video tells a very different story.”
WATCH:
This is who Colorado Democrats have running against @bradleyforco ! Just wow!
From Douglas County Campaign Watch:
“This is unacceptable.
“Democrat Christian Schilder is asking voters to elect him to the Colorado House while video from the middle of his campaign shows him… pic.twitter.com/jeSGGC6gf6
— FreeStateColorado (@FreeStateColor1) August 28, 2026
Schilder has publicly addressed the incident. In an August 6 campaign post, he acknowledged being arrested for public intoxication and said he accepted responsibility for that conduct.
His campaign website presents Schilder as a civil engineer and “problem solver” focused on housing affordability, infrastructure, and transportation. It also declares that voters want honest representatives who will “take responsibility.”
The newly circulated police footage is now placing that campaign message under intensified scrutiny.
Schilder will face Bradley, the Republican incumbent, in November. Public election listings identify both candidates as their parties’ nominees for the HD39 general election.
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