Rioter convicted for carrying Pelosi's podium seeks Manatee County commission seat

Adam Johnson, who pleaded guilty after carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern during the Jan. 6, 2021 breach, filed to run as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission; the county primary is Aug. 18.

Adam Johnson filed to run as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission on Jan. 6, the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Capitol breach. He is the man who was photographed carrying former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's lectern during that event. Johnson previously pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building after the Jan. 6 events and served a jail sentence. His campaign uses an outline of the viral photograph as its logo. Key facts: - Johnson filed for the Manatee County Commission at-large seat on Jan. 6 and is running as a Republican. - He was photographed carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern during the Jan. 6, 2021 breach and later pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building. - He served 75 days in jail and faced supervised release and other penalties; he filed a lawsuit against the county in March 2025 that officials called meritless, and the county primary is scheduled for Aug. 18. Summary: Johnson's candidacy follows reports of other people implicated in the Jan. 6 events seeking public office. The Manatee County Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 18; the election outcome is undetermined at this time.