Adam Johnson Enters Manatee County Commission District 6 Race
A new candidate has entered the race for the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners District 6 at-large seat, with Parrish resident Adam Johnson filing qualifying paperwork on January 6.
The District 6 seat is currently held by Jason Bearden, who represents voters countywide. Johnson’s entry brings the total number of candidates filed for the at-large race to five.
Johnson is widely known beyond Manatee County as “The Lectern Guy,” a nickname stemming from the January 6, 2021, takeover of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., where he was photographed carrying a lectern from inside the building. The image circulated nationally and became one of the most recognizable visuals associated with the events of that day.
In early 2025, Johnson filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief against six of Manatee County’s seven commissioners, excluding Mike Rahn, as well as Manatee County Government. Court records show the legal action arose from a Board of County Commissioners decision not to seek attorney’s fees from former commissioner Joe McClash after the withdrawal of an administrative court hearing request related to changes to local wetland protections and buffer requirements.
Johnson is represented in that proceeding by Alex Andrade, a Republican member of the Florida House from Pensacola. Andrade has also represented other parties in Manatee County-related litigation, including former commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge in cases tied to the 2024 election cycle involving former commissioner Betsy Benac, organizer of the Take Back Manatee political action committee, as well as separate proceedings involving Van Ostenbridge and Tampa-based political consultant Anthony Pedicini against unidentified defendants and The Bradenton Times.
With Johnson’s filing, the District 6 at-large contest continues to expand as the 2026 election cycle approaches, adding another high-profile and controversial figure to an already active field of candidates.
Incredible how public notoriety can turn into a political platform. The detail abuot Johnson's wetland lawsuit adds a whole nother layer, showing this isn't just about name recognition but actual local policy disputes. In my experience following local politics, candidates with high-profile backgrounds (good or bad) tend to either galvanize supporters or completely alienate moderates. Given Manatees's voting patterns and the five-way race, I'm curious how this controversy translates into actual votes.