REPLACING:

Colin Allred (D)^[i]

WORK HISTORY:

Texas House of Representatives (Member, TX-115); Johnson, Zegen, Scott & Williams, PLLC (Owner); Van Wey & Johnson, LLP (Partner); Cowles & Thompson, PC (Attorney)[ii]

EDUCATION:

JD, University of Houston Law Center; BA, The University of Texas at Austin^[iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Abortion + Reproductive Justice; Affordable Housing; Cannabis; Democracy; Education; Equality; Equity; Our Climate; Foreign Policy; Guns; Healthcare; Immigration; Infrastructure; Innovation; Our Families; Our Seniors; Our Veterans[iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

On her campaign website, Johnson touts having a 100 percent voting record with Planned Parenthood Texas Vote as a Texas state representative. In 2023, Johnson drafted state legislation addressing reproductive rights with provisions that included protections for pharmacists prescribing abortion medication, a 12-month supply of birth control, and removal of state tax on feminine hygiene products. Johnson is endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and has received support from the pro-choice groups Annie’s List, NARAL, AVOW, and EMILYs List.[v]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Johnson believes in a “comprehensive immigration reform” that grants a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals, protects Dreamers, and implements “humane treatment” at America’s borders. She proposes investing in technology and personnel to strengthen the southern border, as opposed to building a border wall. Johnson also advocates for legalizing undocumented laborers to put “all workers on a level playing field” to draw in more taxes that reduce the national debt.[vi]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Johnson believes digital assets like cryptocurrency and blockchain technology will allow Americans to “own their data, create wealth, and be stakeholders in the digital spaces of the future.” While supporting the potential of blockchain technology, Johnson argues that the industry needs regulation that transcends current securities laws. She believes that if Congress does not implement a regulatory framework for the industry, Americans will risk exposure to “offshore and unregulated entities like FTX.”[vii]

TAXES:

On her campaign website, Johnson pledges to make the top 1% of earners “pay their fair share in taxes” to strengthen social security and Medicare benefits.[viii]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Johnson supports addressing the War on Drugs by “decriminalizing and legalizing cannabis,” expunging cannabis-related convictions, and imposing responsible regulations to ensure safe access to cannabis. While serving in the Texas state legislature, Johnson co-sponsored cannabis-related bills, including the medical cannabis expansion bill HB1535 and HB3248, which decriminalizes cannabis. She also introduced state legislation that provides medical marijuana to veterans with PTSD and patients experiencing chronic pain in place of opioids.[ix]  

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Johnson advocates for “bold action” to address climate change, proposing incentivized development of carbon recapture technology, investing in water conservation, and fighting pollution. She vows to advocate for “robust investment in infrastructure,” including repairing roads, building a high-speed rail across Texas, expanding broadband access, and updating water infrastructure.[x] [xi]

FOREIGN POLICY:

On her campaign website, Johnson expressed support for “diplomacy, multilateralism, and international cooperation to address global challenges.” She argued that a renewed commitment to foreign policy must address mass immigration from Central and South America.[xii] During a January 2024 candidate debate, Johnson supported a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestinian conflict while maintaining that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas. She also supported the Biden administration’s launch of missile strikes against Ansar Allah in Yemen.[xiii]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Johnson argues that all workers are entitled to paid family and medical leave. She vows to “modernize” the Family and Medical Leave Act and support a minimum 12-week-paid leave for workers.[xiv] Johnson touts healthcare policy as the focus of her legislative work in the Texas state House as she introduced legislation that would eliminate pre-authorization from insurance companies to treat autoimmune diseases, grant “critical healthcare” to post-partum mothers after giving birth, and lower the cost of prescription drugs. In 2021, Johnson sponsored a bipartisan bill to expand Medicaid in Texas. Although that bill faced opposition from state leadership, Johnson has vowed to continue fighting for an Affordable Care Act in Congress and “exploring options for a public healthcare option.”[xv]

DEMOCRACY:

Johnson believes that America’s election integrity is under the threat of “voter suppression, dark money in politics, and foreign interference.” She plans to vote in support of the Freedom to Vote Act in Congress, which addresses election reforms. [xvi]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Johnson has committed to advancing “equality for all Americans regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.” She touts voting against 141 Texas state bills that she considered “anti-LGBTQ laws.”[xvii] During her first year in the Texas state House, Johnson was named “Freshman of the Year” by Texas Monthly for her efforts to preserve LGBTQ rights, including co-founding the state legislature’s first LGBTQ caucus and “defeating one of the most partisan bills” that would have prevented the government from acting against individuals or organizations based on religious beliefs. Johnson was also endorsed by the LGBTQ+ advocacy group LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.[xviii] [xix]