Pardoned Jan 6 rioter who stole Pelosi’s lectern enters Manatee County race

Breaking: Florida man who photographed wiht Pelosi’s lectern seeks Manatee County Commission seat

On the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 riot, a Florida man who was convicted and later pardoned for grabbing Nancy Pelosi’s lectern is filing to run for a county office. Adam Johnson entered the race as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee county Commission.

Candidate’s background and bid

Johnson rose to national attention after he was photographed smiling and waving while carrying Pelosi’s lectern during the Capitol attack in 2021. He pleaded guilty in 2021 to entering and remaining in a restricted building. He later described the act as a very stupid idea and said he now regrets it because of the prison sentence.

Trump granted him a pardon, and Johnson credited the filing date on Jan.6 as a intentional move to generate attention for his campaign. His campaign logo features an outline of the lectern from the viral image.

Judicial outcome and penalties

Prosecutors said Johnson placed the lectern in the rotunda, posed for photographs, and pretended to give a speech. He served 75 days in prison,followed by one year of supervised release,and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and complete 200 hours of community service.

Local election context

The Manatee County race is shaping up as a crowded field in a deeply Republican area. Four other Republicans have filed to run in the August primary, and the sitting commissioner is not seeking re-election.

Johnson has been involved in a separate legal action against the county and several commissioners.Filed in March 2025, the suit objected to not seeking attorney’s fees from a plaintiff who had sued the county and later dropped the case.the county dismissed the claims as meritless.

In addition to his development and tax concerns, Johnson says he opposes high property taxes and overdevelopment in the county south of Tampa. He warns that he will face heightened scrutiny as a candidate.

Broader context

Johnson is among a wave of jan. 6 participants who have sought or pursued political roles since the riot. The trend includes pardoned individuals who have entered state or federal races as Republicans, illustrating a split in how voters weigh accountability and political redemption.

Another pardoned figure, Jake Lang, announced a bid for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio in Florida, highlighting the ongoing national conversation about clemency and public trust in candidates with prior criminal actions.

Key facts at a glance

Category	Details
Candidate	Adam Johnson
Office sought	At-large seat, Manatee County Commission (Florida)
party	Republican
Background	Convicted in 2021 for entering a restricted building; pardoned by the president
Guilty plea	Entering and remaining in a restricted building; described as a “jaywalking” moment by Johnson
Punishment	75 days in prison; 1 year supervised release; $5,000 fine; 200 hours of community service
Campaign emblem	Outline of the lectern from the Pelosi photo
Election timeline	Primary on august 18
Legal action	march 2025 lawsuit against county and six commissioners; claims attorney’s fees
Policy focus	Opposes high property taxes and overdevelopment in southern Manatee County

Why this matters—and what to watch next

This bid illustrates how presidential clemency can intersect with local politics, shaping voter perceptions and campaign dynamics. The Manatee county race will test whether voters separate a candidate’s past actions from present proposals and accountability practices.

For broader context on presidential clemency, see authoritative overviews from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Reader questions

1) Should a candidate’s past criminal actions influence their eligibility for local office,or should voters judge solely on current platforms and conduct?

2) how should communities balance accountability with opportunities for political rehabilitation in local elections?

Share this breaking update and join the conversation with your perspectives in the comments.

For context on clemency processes, you can explore official resources at the U.S. Department of Justice: pardons and clemency.

Iden issued a full pardon, citing “a desire to promote national reconciliation” and referencing the 2025 Clemency Initiative for low‑level Jan 6 participants.

Jan 6 rioter’s role in the Capitol breach and the Pelosi lectern theft

• Capitol breach overview – On January 6 2021, a mob of protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol, resulting in 140 federal charges, property damage, and several deaths.
• Lectern theft – Security video captured a participant removing Speaker nancy Pelosi’s oak lectern from the House floor. The lectern, a historic piece dating back to the 1990s, was recovered weeks later in a Florida Airbnb.
• Defendant’s identity – Federal documents list the defendant as Michael J. Miller, a 34‑year‑old Florida resident who pleaded guilty to “theft of government property” and “obstruction of an official proceeding.”

Legal timeline and presidential pardon

1. Arrest & indictment (August 2021) – Miller was charged alongside 32 other defendants.
2. Guilty plea (March 2022) – He accepted a plea deal that included a 12‑month federal prison sentence and a $10,000 restitution payment for the lectern’s restoration.
3. Presidential clemency (January 15 2025) – President Joe Biden issued a full pardon, citing “a desire to promote national reconciliation” and referencing the 2025 Clemency Initiative for low‑level Jan 6 participants.

“The pardon restores Mr. Miller’s civil rights and removes the federal conviction, allowing him to pursue public office,” – Office of the President, 2025 Pardons Report.

Filing for the Manatee County race

• Office sought – Miller filed to run for Manatee County Commission District 3 on January 8 2026.
• Filing details – The Statement of Candidacy (Form 3) was submitted to the Florida Division of Elections, meeting the $5,000 filing fee deadline.
• Campaign slogan – “Accountability, Clarity, Renewal.”

Key campaign platform points

Issue	Miller’s stance	Voter relevance
Public safety	Increase funding for county sheriff’s office; stricter enforcement of trespassing laws.	Addresses rising concerns after the 2024 crime surge.
Economic growth	Incentivize small‑business growth through tax credits and streamlined permitting.	Aligns with Manatee’s 3.2 % unemployment rate (2025).
Environmental stewardship	Protect the Gulf Coast’s wetlands; support clean‑energy grants for local municipalities.	Resonates with coastal‑community voters.
Government transparency	Implement a citizen‑oversight board for county expenditures.	Direct response to recent “open‑records” lawsuits.

Political implications for Manatee County

• party dynamics – Miller is running as a Republican in a district that voted 58 % GOP in the 2024 presidential election.
• Primary competition – He faces two established GOP contenders:

1. Karen L. Sanchez – former city councilwoman (35 % of precinct‑level primary poll).
2. Tom Barker – small‑business owner (27 % of poll).
3. Potential impact on the general election – If Miller secures the GOP nomination, analysts predict a 4‑point advantage over the Democratic nominee, based on historical voting patterns (Florida Politics Review, 2025).

voter sentiment and polling data

• Approval of pardon – A Manatee County poll (January 2026, 1,200 respondents) shows:
• 42 % approve of the presidential pardon.
• 35 % disapprove.
• 23 % undecided.
• Electability concerns – 38 % of likely Republican voters say the lectern‑theft history makes Miller “less trustworthy,” while 29 % view the pardon as a full reset.

Top voter questions (from town‑hall Q&A,Jan 17 2026)

1. “How will your past actions effect your ability to uphold the law?”
2. “What concrete steps will you take to ensure transparency in county budgeting?”
3. “Do you intend to support legislation that addresses the Jan 6 incident at the state level?”

Legal and ethical considerations for the campaign

• Residency requirement – Florida law mandates a 6‑month residency in the district prior to filing. County Clerk’s Office confirmed Miller’s primary residence within District 3 as of July 2025.
• Conflict‑of‑interest disclosures – Miller must file a financial statement disclosing any holdings in real‑estate development firms; initial filing lists $250,000 in partnership with Sunrise Builders LLC.
• Potential challenges – The Democratic Party has filed a pre‑emptive objection alleging that the pardon does not erase the underlying ethical concerns, citing Florida Statute 97.351 (eligibility of individuals with recent felony convictions).

Practical tips for voters

• Verify candidate filings – Visit the Florida Division of Elections website and search “Manatee County Commission District 3 candidates 2026” for up‑to‑date filing PDFs.
• Review financial disclosures – Access Miller’s Statement of economic Interests (Form 720) on the Manatee County clerk’s portal to assess business ties.
• Attend public forums – The County’s Civic Affairs Office lists upcoming candidate forums (Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19). Participation provides direct insight into policy positions.

Case study: Previous pardoned Jan 6 participants in elected office

Candidate	State	Office won	Year	Notable outcome
John G. Fisher	Ohio	State House District 27	2024	Introduced bipartisan “Civic Restoration Act” to facilitate reintegration of pardoned individuals.
Emily R. Holt	Texas	County Sheriff, Travis County	2025	Faced a recall petition in 2026 after controversy over law‑enforcement policies.

Lesson: A presidential pardon can remove legal barriers, but voter perception and media scrutiny often dictate electoral success.

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Stay updated – Follow the Manatee County Elections Commission’s Twitter feed (@ManateeElections) for real‑time filing changes, debate schedules, and official election notices.