Bobby Khan, a Scottish-born entrepreneur who built an international exotic car empire in his twenties, is now campaigning for Nevada's 1st Congressional District with the slogan "Wanted for Congress." His journey from the FBI's Most Wanted list to political candidate represents one of the most unconventional campaigns in recent American politics, drawing attention for its raw authenticity and policy proposals born from personal adversity.
Khan's business career began immediately after high school when he bypassed traditional education to establish himself in the luxury automotive world. By age 28, he held the exclusive Zenvo franchise and operated Emporio Motor Group in Ramsey, New Jersey, catering to wealthy clients including Wall Street bankers and celebrities. His appearance on Real Housewives of New Jersey showcased his success, but his trajectory changed dramatically in 2014 when federal charges were filed against him in connection with his dealership.
The entrepreneur maintains that what should have been a civil dispute with a bank escalated into federal charges he continues to dispute. Following an arrest warrant in October 2014, Khan left the United States with his wife Stephanie and their two daughters, beginning six years as a fugitive. During this period, the FBI offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to his capture, and his story was featured on CNBC's American Greed. Khan claims he repeatedly attempted to negotiate his return, eventually walking into the U.S. Embassy in the United Arab Emirates in January 2020 and demanding to be arrested.
Personal tragedy preceded these legal troubles. On March 4, 2013, Khan and his wife lost their son at birth, an event Khan describes as shaping his subsequent decisions. During their years abroad, the family lived in difficult circumstances, with Stephanie homeschooling their daughters and making their toys and clothes by hand. Khan has stated his children did not see a physician for five years while they were on the run.
After returning to the United States in shackles, Khan pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and served eight months in prison followed by 32 months on an ankle monitor. His observations during incarceration form the foundation of his justice reform platform. He witnessed rehabilitation programs that existed only on paper and men leaving prison with minimal earnings and few prospects. These experiences convinced him the system prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation.
Now living in Las Vegas and still on supervised release, Khan announced his candidacy in August 2025 for the seat held by long-serving Democrat Dina Titus. His campaign materials prominently feature his criminal past, including posters styled like FBI bulletins and photos showing him in both business attire and an orange jumpsuit. His campaign website opens with the declaration "From FBI's Most Wanted to Congressional Candidate" without apology for his history.
Khan's policy proposals directly reflect his personal experiences. He advocates for zero taxes on veteran income, ending civil asset forfeiture without conviction, and implementing prison reforms including tax credits to bring manufacturing into correctional facilities so incarcerated individuals can earn meaningful wages. He also supports affordable housing initiatives, zero taxes on gambling winnings, and ending federal wild horse roundups in Nevada—a position that has earned him backing from Yellowstone actress Dawn Olivieri and Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald.
The candidate's appeal appears to be growing among voters across party lines. His events, including intimate "After Dark" gatherings featuring live music and unscripted conversation, regularly sell out. Supporters share their own stories of economic hardship with him, including a single mother who described choosing between groceries and gas despite working two jobs. "That hit me hard," Khan said, "because I've lived it."
Recent developments have further tested Khan's campaign. In March 2026, MGM Resorts banned him from all its Las Vegas properties—including the Bellagio, Aria, Cosmopolitan, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and T-Mobile Arena—after he publicly criticized the company's CEO over pricing and service issues. Khan vowed to fight the ban all the way to the Supreme Court, stating he had never gambled or caused inconvenience at these properties.
Khan's unorthodox approach extends to his campaign rhetoric. He openly acknowledges his felony conviction, noting that both he and former President Donald Trump share this status. "I am a convicted felon," he has stated publicly. "There are 80 million Americans in this country with a criminal record. I know what it takes to fight, and that's what people need. People need people that are real."
The candidate's story resonates in Las Vegas, a city familiar with improbable comebacks and long odds. His campaign represents more than a political bid—it's a testament to survival through business collapse, legal battles, personal loss, and incarceration. As Khan told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "I don't care about what people have to say about my past. I know what it takes to fight, and that's what people need." With his blend of lived experience and unconventional campaigning, Bobby Khan is challenging traditional political narratives in Nevada's 1st Congressional District.
