Bradenton, Florida– A Florida man who took over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium and took photos with her during the U.S. Capitol riot is running for district office.
Adam Johnson She filed to run as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission on Tuesday. It was the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot, and he was photographed smiling and waving carrying Pelosi’s podium afterward. Pro-Trump mob attack On January 6, 2021.
Johnson said WWSB-TV He said it was “no coincidence” that he filed for office on January 6, saying “it’s definitely a good thing to create buzz out there.” His campaign logo is an outline of a widely circulated photo of him holding the podium.
He is not the first person involved in the Jan. 6 riot to run for office. At least three He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2024 as a Republican. There are indications that the Republican Party does as well Welcoming more people back Who were convicted of crimes on January 6 after Trump pardoned them.
Jake LangeHe, who was charged with assaulting an officer, civil disorder and other crimes before being pardoned, recently announced he is running for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vacant U.S. Senate seat in Florida.
Prosecutors said Johnson set the stage in the center of the Capitol rotunda, posed for photos and pretended to give a speech. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor he likened to “hiking” in the interview.
“I believe I exercised my First Amendment right to speak and protest,” Johnson said.
After returning home, Johnson bragged that he “broke the Internet” and was “finally famous,” prosecutors said.
Johnson served 75 days in jail followed by one year of supervised release. The judge also ordered Johnson to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service.
Johnson told US District Judge Reggie Walton at the sentencing that demonstrating with Pelosi’s platform was a “very stupid idea,” but he now says he only regrets his action because of the prison sentence.
“I walked into a building, took a picture with a piece of furniture, and then left,” he says now.
Four other Republicans have filed to run so far in the Aug. 18 primary in a deeply Republican district. The incumbent is not seeking re-election.
In March 2025, Johnson filed a lawsuit against Manatee County and six of its commissioners, disputing the county’s decision not to seek attorney’s fees from someone who had sued the county and dropped the lawsuit. The district called Johnson’s claims “completely baseless and unsupported by law.”
Johnson said he objects to high property taxes and overdevelopment in the county south of Tampa, claiming current county leaders are wasteful.
“I will be subject to more intense scrutiny than any other candidate running this race,” Johnson said. “This is positive and good for every citizen, because for once in our lives, we will know the local politicians who do things.”