Rioter convicted for carrying Pelosi’s podium seeks Florida county workplace

BRADENTON, Fla. — A Florida man who grabbed then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium and posed for images with it in the course of the U.S. Capitol riot is working for county workplace.

Adam Johnson filed to run as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission on Tuesday. That was the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot, the place he was photographed smiling and waving as he carried Pelosi’s podium after the pro-Trump mob’s attack on Jan. 6, 2021.

Johnson informed WWSB-TV that it was “not a coincidence” that he filed for workplace on Jan. 6, saying “it’s definitely good for getting the buzz out there.” His marketing campaign emblem is an overview of the viral {photograph} of him carrying the rostrum.

He’s removed from the primary individual implicated within the Jan. 6 riot to run for workplace. At least three ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2024 as Republicans. And there are indicators that the Republican Party is welcoming back more people who have been convicted of Jan. 6 offenses after Trump pardoned them.

Jake Lang, who was charged with assaulting an officer, civil dysfunction and different crimes earlier than he was pardoned, not too long ago introduced he’s working for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s vacant U.S. Senate seat in Florida.

Johnson positioned the rostrum within the heart of the Capitol Rotunda, posed for photos and pretended to make a speech, prosecutors mentioned. He pleaded responsible in 2021 of coming into and remaining in a restricted constructing or floor, 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 mentioned.

Johnson served 75 days in jail adopted by one 12 months of supervised launch. The choose additionally ordered Johnson to pay a $5,000 effective and carry out 200 hours of neighborhood service.

Johnson informed 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.”