Infamous Capitol Rioter Adam Johnson Runs for Manatee County Commissioner

Tue Jan 13 2026 02:06:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Adam Johnson, known for his viral photo with Nancy Pelosi's podium during the Capitol riot, announces his candidacy for a county office in Florida on the anniversary of the event.

Adam Johnson, who gained notoriety after posing with Nancy Pelosi's podium during the January 6 Capitol riot, has announced his candidacy for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission in Florida. Filing on the anniversary of the riot, Johnson stated that it brought attention to his campaign, leveraging his past infamous actions as a part of his political strategy. Despite having pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and serving time, he insists his actions were a projection of free speech and is focused on local governance issues.

BRADENTON, Fla. — A man who made headlines by grabbing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's podium during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, is now vying for a local government position in Florida.

Adam Johnson, who was photographed smiling and waving while holding the podium, officially declared his candidacy as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission. Johnson filed his campaign paperwork on the fifth anniversary of the riot, a move he described as intentional and beneficial for generating publicity.

In a recent interview, he noted, It’s definitely good for getting the buzz out there, highlighting his campaign logo, which features the iconic image of himself carrying the podium.

Johnson's ambitions come amidst a trend of individuals involved in the January 6 events pursuing political office. He is not alone; several others have attempted to secure congressional seats as Republicans following the chaos of that day.

Furthermore, recent developments within the Republican Party seem to favor the re-entry of individuals previously convicted for their roles in the riot after being pardoned by former President Donald Trump.

Reflecting on his past actions, Johnson remarked that he believes he was exercising his First Amendment rights, despite the legal consequences he faced for entering a restricted area. He ultimately served a 75-day prison sentence and was fined, yet he expresses little regret beyond the sentence itself, characterizing his actions as innocuous.

With the incumbent county commissioner not seeking reelection, Johnson faces four other Republican candidates in this deeply Republican region. He has additionally filed a lawsuit regarding local governance issues, critiquing current leadership for high property taxes and perceived waste. Johnson declares, I will be more heavily scrutinized than any other candidate running in this race, positioning his notoriety as an asset to transparency in local politics.