Florida man who grabbed Nancy Pelosi’s podium during Capitol riot seeks county office
A man who seized then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium and posed for photos with it during the U.S. Capitol riot is now seeking a county office position in Florida.
filed as a Republican candidate for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission on Tuesday. This date marked the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot, where he was captured in photos smiling and waving while carrying Pelosi’s podium following on January 6, 2021.
Johnson informed that his decision to file for office on January 6 was “no coincidence,” stating “it’s absolutely effective for generating attention.” His campaign logo features an outline of the widely shared image of him carrying the podium.
He is not the first individual linked to the Jan. 6 riot to pursue political office. unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2024 as a Republican. Additionally, there are indications that the Republican Party is those convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes after they received pardons from Trump.
, who faced charges of assaulting an officer, inciting civil disorder, and other crimes prior to being pardoned, recently declared his candidacy for the vacant U.S. Senate seat in Florida left by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Prosecutors stated that Johnson positioned the podium in the center of the Capitol Rotunda, took photos, and mimicked giving a speech. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to entering and remaining in a restricted building or area, a misdemeanor he compared to “jaywalking” during the interview.
“I believe I exercised my First Amendment right to free speech and protest,” Johnson stated.
After driving home, Johnson boasted that he “went viral” and was “finally famous,” according to prosecutors.
Johnson spent 75 days in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. The judge also mandated that he pay a $5,000 fine and complete 200 hours of community service.
During his sentencing, Johnson told U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton that posing with Pelosi’s podium was a “very foolish idea,” but he now claims he only regrets the act because of the prison time.
“I entered a building, took a photo with a piece of furniture, and left,” he now remarks.
So far, four other Republicans have filed to run in the August 18 primary in this strongly Republican county. The current officeholder is not seeking re-election.
In March 2025, Johnson sued Manatee County and six of its commissioners, disputing the county’s choice not to pursue attorney fees from an individual who had sued the county and later dropped the case. The county has labeled Johnson’s claims “entirely without merit and lacking legal support.”
Johnson stated he opposes high property taxes and excessive development in the county south of Tampa, asserting that current county leaders are wasteful.
“I will face more intense scrutiny than any other candidate in this race,” Johnson said. “This is a positive outcome for every citizen, as for once, we will be aware of our local politicians who are taking action.”