John Tree is seeking the 10th District Democratic nomination. He is an Air Force reserve colonel and was wearing military fatigues when a flight attendant asked him for help.
A passenger was out of his seat, shouting profanities, kicking the cabin walls and making threats.
Tree's office says he and other passengers subdued the man, returned him to his seat, and Tree sat next to him until the plane landed.
Police arrested Charles Beckman of Redwood City, California. He is charged with public intoxication and interfering with a flight crew.
Tree was flying to the Pentagon for military duty.
