A Florida man convicted for his actions during the January 6 US Capitol riot, and later pardoned by former President Donald Trump, has launched a bid for local political office. Adam Johnson, who served a prison sentence for his role in the 2021 insurrection, filed paperwork to run as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County commission.
From Capitol riot to campaign trail
Johnson formally entered the race on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, the fifth anniversary of the attack on the Capitol. He admitted to local broadcaster WWSB-TV that the date was "not a coincidence" and acknowledged it was good for generating publicity. His campaign logo is a direct reference to his notoriety, featuring an outline of the viral photograph in which he was seen smiling and carrying the lectern of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi through the Capitol building.
Prosecutors stated that during the riot, Johnson took the lectern to the centre of the Capitol Rotunda, posed for pictures, and pretended to deliver a speech. He later pleaded guilty in 2021 to the misdemeanour charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building. Johnson has since downplayed the severity of his crime, comparing it to "jaywalking" in a recent interview and claiming he was exercising his First Amendment right to protest.
A Trump pardon and political ambitions
Johnson was sentenced to serve 75 days in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and complete 200 hours of community service. His legal troubles were cut short when Donald Trump issued a presidential pardon in January 2025.
He is not the first figure involved in the January 6 events to seek public office. At least three others ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2024. The trend appears to be continuing, with another pardoned rioter, Jake Lang—who faced charges including assaulting an officer—announcing a run for Marco Rubio's former Senate seat in Florida. This signals a potential normalisation within parts of the Republican party of candidates with convictions related to the Capitol breach.
Local issues and legal battles
In his campaign for the Manatee County commission, Johnson has cited objections to high property taxes and overdevelopment in the region south of Tampa, accusing current leaders of wasteful spending. The incumbent is not seeking re-election, and four other Republicans have filed for the primary scheduled for 18 August.
Johnson is no stranger to local government legal disputes. In March 2025, he filed a lawsuit against Manatee County and six of its commissioners over a decision regarding attorney's fees. The county has dismissed his claims as "completely meritless and unsupported by law."
Despite his controversial past, Johnson believes the heightened scrutiny he faces is a positive for voters. "I will be more heavily scrutinised than any other candidate who is running in this race," he said, arguing it would lead to greater transparency for local politicians.
