Adam Johnson announced his candidacy for Manatee County’s at-large commissioner seat on January 6, 2026, exactly five years after he became a recognizable figure from the events at the United States Capitol Building.
Johnson, a 41-year-old father of five, filed paperwork to run as what his campaign describes as a “conservative fighter” for the local government position in Florida.
The Stay-at-Home, Florida resident gained national attention when photographs circulated showing him carrying then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern through the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021.
One widely distributed image captured Johnson smiling while transporting the podium during the day’s events.
According to prosecutors, Johnson carried the lectern to the Capitol Rotunda, where he positioned it in the center of the room and mimicked delivering a speech.
Johnson entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or ground.
His sentence included 75 days in federal prison, a $5,000 financial penalty and 200 hours of community service.
During sentencing proceedings, Johnson acknowledged that posing with Pelosi’s lectern was a “very stupid idea,” though prosecutors noted he displayed little regret immediately following the incident.
According to prosecutors presented during his trial, Johnson made statements while traveling home from Washington, DC, claiming he “broke the internet” and was “finally famous.”
Johnson characterized his actions to CBS News by stating, “I walked into a building, I took a picture with a piece of furniture, and I left.”
The events of January 6, 2021, saw demonstrators breach metal barriers and overwhelm Capitol police before breaking reinforced glass windows and doors to gain entry to the US Capitol while the 2020 presidential election certification process was underway inside.
Some participants arrived equipped with items including pepper spray and baseball bats, and various chants were directed at members of Congress, including calls for then-Vice President Mike Pence to be hanged.
Johnson had completed his full sentence before President Trump issued pardons to individuals involved in the January 6 events at the beginning of his second term. Because Johnson’s conviction was classified as a misdemeanor rather than a felony, he retained all his civil rights, including eligibility to seek public office.
In an interview with WWSB, Johnson stated that choosing to file his candidacy on January 6, 2026, was “not a coincidence” and was “good for getting the buzz out there.”
His campaign website outlines frustrations with what he describes as a failure to implement “MAGA principles” at the local government level.
The website states, “He’s running because conservatives deserve leadership that actually fights for them. Real conservative leadership that exposes corruption, protects taxpayers, and puts residents over special interests. Adam can’t be bought. He can’t be bullied. And he won’t back down from exposing corruption wherever he finds it.”
Johnson told media outlets that his psychology degree equips him to “deal with crazy people” and pointed to his involvement in church activities as evidence of his readiness for political office.
Johnson is not the only individual from January 6 pursuing political office in Florida.
Jake Lang announced his campaign for the United States Senate seat left vacant by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Lang faced charges including assaulting an officer and civil disorder before receiving a presidential pardon from Trump.
