Adam Johnson, the Florida man who gained national attention by taking possession of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium during the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection, has officially entered the race for local government office. On the fifth anniversary of the Capitol riot, Johnson submitted his candidacy as a Republican contender for one of the at-large seats on the Manatee County Commission.
Johnson, who was captured in photographs smiling and waving as he carried the podium amid the chaos, has integrated this imagery into his political campaign. His campaign logo features an outline inspired by the viral image of him holding Pelosi’s lectern. In an interview with WWSB-TV, Johnson affirmed the timing of his candidacy filing was deliberate, highlighting the significance of January 6 as a method to heighten public awareness and generate buzz around his campaign.
He is not alone in attempting to transition from roles related to January 6 to elected positions. At least three individuals connected to the riot have sought congressional seats unsuccessfully during the 2024 election cycle, all under the Republican banner. Furthermore, there appears to be a trend of the Republican Party welcoming back individuals convicted for offenses related to the riot, particularly following presidential pardons granted by former President Donald Trump.
One notable example includes Jake Lang, previously charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer, civil disorder, and other crimes connected to the January 6 events, who after receiving a pardon, announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio in Florida.
Regarding Johnson’s actions during the riot, prosecutors have documented that he placed the podium at the center of the Capitol Rotunda, posed for photographs, and mimicked delivering a speech. Johnson pleaded guilty in 2021 to a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully entering and remaining in a restricted federal building. In an interview, he downplayed his offense by likening it to "jaywalking," emphasizing his perspective that he was exercising his First Amendment rights to protest and speak.
After the events, Johnson recorded comments boasting about "breaking the internet" and achieving fame. His legal consequences included a 75-day incarceration period, a subsequent year of supervised release, a $5,000 monetary fine, and an obligation to complete 200 hours of community service.
During sentencing proceedings before U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, Johnson characterized his choice to pose with Pelosi’s podium as a "very stupid idea" but clarified that his regret stemmed predominantly from the imprisonment rather than the act itself. He summarized his involvement as entering a building, taking a picture with a piece of furniture, and then leaving.
Currently, the race for the Manatee County Commission encompasses five Republican candidates, including Johnson. The position is open due to the sitting commissioner’s decision not to seek reelection. Johnson has also engaged in local legal actions, filing a lawsuit in March 2025 against Manatee County and six commissioners concerning their refusal to pursue attorney’s fees from a dismissed lawsuit. The county has dismissed Johnson’s complaint as wholly unsupported by law.
Johnson’s platform criticizes high local property taxes and ongoing overdevelopment in Manatee County, a region situated south of Tampa. He asserts that the existing county leadership exhibits fiscal wastefulness. He anticipates that scrutiny directed towards his campaign will surpass that of other candidates, viewing this as beneficial for citizens who can gain better insight into their elected local officials.