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Pardoned Jan. 6 ‘Lectern Guy’ Files for Manatee County Commission, Uses Viral Image as Logo

His bid illustrates how Trump’s 2025 pardons have turned some Jan. 6 notoriety into local political currency.

Overview

  • Adam Johnson, 41, filed Tuesday for an at-large Manatee County Commission seat as a Republican on the fifth anniversary of Jan. 6.
  • He told local TV the timing was intentional for “buzz,” and his logo traces the photo of him carrying Nancy Pelosi’s lectern.
  • Johnson promotes a MAGA-branded platform focused on cutting spending, easing traffic, restraining development, lowering taxes, and rooting out corruption.
  • He pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building and served 75 days in jail, later receiving a 2025 presidential pardon issued to roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants.
  • The race features multiple Republican contenders ahead of an Aug. 18 primary, reflecting a broader trend of former Jan. 6 participants seeking office after pardons.