BRADENTON, Fla. – In a surprising turn of events, the Florida man famously photographed with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium during the storming of the U.S. Capitol is now entering the political arena by running for county office.

Adam Johnson has officially registered as a Republican candidate for an at-large position on the Manatee County Commission. His decision to file his candidacy on January 6, the anniversary of the Capitol riot where he gained notoriety, was deliberate. On that day in 2021, he was captured grinning and waving while holding Pelosi’s podium amid the chaos caused by the pro-Trump crowd.

In an interview with WWSB-TV, Johnson acknowledged the timing of his filing was intentional, stating, “it’s definitely good for getting the buzz out there.” Embracing the notoriety from the incident, his campaign logo cleverly features the outline of the viral image of him with the podium.

Johnson is not alone in his political ambitions among those linked to the January 6 events. At least three others, similarly involved in the riot, unsuccessfully pursued Congressional seats in the 2024 elections as Republicans. This trend indicates a potential shift within the Republican Party towards re-embracing individuals previously convicted of offenses related to January 6, especially after pardons were issued by former President Trump.

Among these individuals is Jake Lang, who, after being charged with assaulting an officer and other crimes, was pardoned and has now set his sights on running for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, left open by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Johnson placed the podium in the center of the Capitol Rotunda, posed for pictures and pretended to make a speech, prosecutors said. He pleaded guilty in 2021 of entering and remaining in a restricted building or ground, a misdemeanor that he equated to “jaywalking” in the interview.

“I think I exercised my First Amendment right to speak and protest,” Johnson said.

After driving home, Johnson bragged that he “broke the internet” and was “finally famous,” prosecutors said.

Johnson served 75 days in prison 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 U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton at sentencing that posing with Pelosi’s podium was a “very stupid idea,” but now says he only regrets his action because of the prison sentence.

“I walked into a building, I took a picture with a piece of furniture, and I left,” he now says.

Four other Republicans have filed to run so far in the Aug. 18 primary in what’s a deeply Republican county. The incumbent isn’t seeking reelection.

In March 2025, Johnson filed a lawsuit against Manatee County and six of its commissioners, objecting to the county’s decision not to seek attorney’s fees from someone who sued the county and dropped the lawsuit. The county has called Johnson’s claims “ completely meritless 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 more heavily scrutinized than any other candidate who is running in this race,” Johnson said. “This is a positive and a good takeaway for every single citizen, because for once in our life, we will know our local politicians who are doing things.”