PARRISH, FL — A Florida man known nationally as “Lectern Guy” for carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot has filed to run for local office, entering a crowded race for the Manatee County Commission exactly five years after the insurrection.
Adam Johnson, 41, submitted paperwork Tuesday to seek the at-large District 6 seat, currently held by Republican Jason Bearden, who is not running for reelection. Johnson is one of five candidates vying for the position, according to campaign filings. His decision to run comes amid a broader political reframing of Jan. 6 during President Trump’s second administration, including a White House push portraying defendants as unfairly targeted.
Johnson was arrested days after the Capitol attack after a Getty Images photo showed him carrying Pelosi’s lectern through the building. He later pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building, receiving a 75-day jail sentence, probation, and fines. In 2025, Johnson was among roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants pardoned by Trump.
After initially expressing remorse at sentencing, Johnson has since embraced his notoriety, building a large social media following and selling merchandise tied to the viral image. He has not publicly explained his platform or goals and did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Johnson is also currently suing Manatee County commissioners over a separate wetlands dispute, adding another layer of controversy to his campaign.
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