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Gloria Johnson (politician)

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Gloria Johnson
Johnson in 2023
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Preceded byEddie Smith
Constituency13th district (2019–2023)
90th district (2023–present)
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 13, 2015
Preceded byHarry J. Tindell
Succeeded byEddie Smith
Constituency13th district
Personal details
Born (1962-05-25) May 25, 1962 (age 62)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Tennessee (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Gloria Johnson (born May 25, 1962)[1] is an American politician and Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives currently representing District 90, and formerly District 13, based in Knoxville.[2] In April 2023, she and two other state representatives faced expulsion votes from the Tennessee General Assembly after taking to the floor of the State House unrecognized to protest gun violence. Johnson was the only one of the three legislators not to be expelled. Johnson was the Democratic Party nominee for the 2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee, losing in a landslide to incumbent Republican Marsha Blackburn.

Tennessee House of Representatives

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In 2012, Johnson was elected to represent District 13 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. She lost re-election to Eddie Smith in 2014. Following a failed attempt in 2016, Johnson defeated Smith in 2018.[3] She was re-elected in 2020.[4] Following redistricting, Johnson's residence became located in District 15, which already had a Democratic incumbent. Because of this, Johnson moved to District 90 and won the seat in 2022.[5]

In January 2021, Johnson was assigned a small, windowless conference room for use as her office in the Cordell Hull State Office Building. Johnson disagreed with the room she was given, and alleged her assignment to it was retribution from State House Speaker Cameron Sexton after she was the only representative to abstain from voting for Sexton in the speakership election. Johnson instead moved her desk to the hallway outside and gave the room to her assistant, who was originally given a non-connecting closet for her office.[6] In 2022, following a year-long campaign, she was assigned a new office space, subsequent to an ADA compliance complaint.[7]

Following reportage of Rutherford County, Tennessee juvenile arrest and incarceration scandal, in January 2022, with Senator Heidi Campbell, she filed a joint resolution to remove juvenile court Judge Donna Scott Davenport from the bench.[8]

Expulsion vote

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Main article: 2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions
President Joe Biden with Gloria Johnson at the White House in April 2023

During a legislative session three days after the 2023 Covenant School shooting, Johnson and fellow Democratic representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson led a gun control protest on the House floor.[9] Later dubbed the "Tennessee Three", the trio interrupted House proceedings with their demonstration as thousands protested outside of the building.[10] The demonstration violated the chamber's decorum rules, as the three members were not recognized to speak and utilized a bullhorn.[11]

Subsequently, House leadership stripped Johnson and Jones of their committee assignments (Pearson did not serve on any committees), and resolutions to expel the three were drawn up.[12][13] During her interview with Mother Jones a day before her expulsion vote, Johnson accused House Republicans of fascism and said she believed Tennessee was less democratic than North Korea.[14] Jones and Pearson were expelled while Johnson avoided expulsion by the margin of a single vote.[11][15] The expulsion vote gathered national attention for the three Democratic lawmakers, including praise from Vice President Kamala Harris during a speech at Fisk University following the vote.[16]

2024 U.S. Senate campaign

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Main article: 2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee

In late July 2023, it was reported Johnson would launch a campaign the following month to challenge Senator Marsha Blackburn in the 2024 election.[17] In early August, Johnson launched an exploratory committee in preparation for a Senate run.[18] On September 5, Johnson formally launched her senate campaign.[19]

In March 2024, Grammy-winning vocalists Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Maren Morris, and Allison Russell, along with more than 30 other artists, came together to record and release a new "soul anthem" called Tennessee Rise in support of Johnson's senate campaign.[20]

Johnson won the Democratic Primary on August 1st, 2024, with 70% of the vote to become the party's nominee. [21] She defeated previous Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020, Marquita Bradshaw, along with Civil Miller-Watkins and Lola Denise Brown. [22]

Johnson went on to lose the general election to Marsha Blackburn, garnering 34.2% of the vote to Blackburn's 63.8% [23].

Personal life

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Johnson lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is Christian.[1] Johnson is a retired special education teacher of 27 years.[24] She was a teacher at Central High School in Knoxville when a shooting occurred at the school in 2008.[25]

Electoral history

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2011–2020

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Tennessee's 6th senate district special election results, 2011[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Becky Duncan Massey 10,006 63.56
Democratic Gloria S. Johnson 5,737 36.44
Total votes 15,743 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2012[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson 778 100.0
Total votes 778 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2012[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson 10,018 48.09
Republican Gary Loe 9,730 46.71
Independent Nick H. Cazana 1,084 5.20
Total votes 20,832 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2014[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 1,798 100.0
Total votes 1,798 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2014[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eddie Smith 6,730 50.69
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 6,548 49.31
Total votes 13,278 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2016[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson 1,639 100.0
Total votes 1,639 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2016[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eddie Smith (incumbent) 11,162 50.34
Democratic Gloria Johnson 11,011 49.66
Total votes 22,173 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2018[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson 4,243 100.0
Total votes 4,243 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2018[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson 11,495 54.92
Republican Eddie Smith (incumbent) 9,041 43.20
Independent Zachary Houk 394 1.88
Total votes 20,930 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2020[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 5,031 100.0
Total votes 5,031 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2020[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 14,242 52.93
Republican Elaine Davis 12,664 47.07
Total votes 26,906 100.0

2022–present

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Tennessee's 90th representative district Democratic primary, 2022[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 3,690 100.0
Total votes 3,690 100.0
Tennessee's 90th representative district election results, 2022[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 8,473 57.90
Republican David "Pozy" Poczobut 6,162 42.10
Total votes 14,635 100.0

References

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  1. ^ a b "Gloria Johnson's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 13, 2014. Cite error: The named reference "PVS" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Representative Gloria Johnson". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  3. ^ McDermott, Brenna (November 7, 2018). "TN Election: Johnson beats Smith in State House District 13 seat". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "2020 Tennessee State House - District 13 Election Results". Detroit Free Press. December 3, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  5. ^ Jones, Vivian; Burgess, Katherine; Gibson, Robin (April 7, 2023). "Tennessee three: What to know about the House Democrats targeted for expulsion by Republicans". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  6. ^ Dorman, Travis (January 29, 2023). "Here's why Knoxville Rep. Gloria Johnson moved her desk to the hallway". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "Radar Tennessee lawmaker now in full-sized office after year-long fight" Jackie DelPilar, FOX17, January 11th 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Lawmakers issue resolution to remove Judge Donna Scott Davenport" Levi Ismail, News Channel 15, January 17, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Allen, Jonathan; Brooks, Brad (March 31, 2023). "Protesters demand action on guns at Tennessee statehouse". Reuters. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "The Tennessee Three puts the tri-star state in the national spotlight". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). December 27, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Andone, Dakin; Young, Ryan; Simonson, Amy; Almasy, Steve (April 6, 2023). "Tennessee House of Representatives debating whether to expel 3 Democratic lawmakers". CNN. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Whetstone, Tyler (April 3, 2023). "Republicans strip Rep. Gloria Johnson of committee assignments for her role in peaceful gun reform demonstration". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  13. ^ "Tennessee GOP members move to oust 3 Democrats from House after gun protest". CBS News. Paramount Global. Associated Press. April 3, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Hayes, Garrison (April 5, 2023). "Exclusive: Defiant Tennessee Dem. Decries "March to Fascism" Ahead of Her Possible Expulsion". Mother Jones. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Jones, Vivian (April 6, 2023). "Resolution to expel Rep. Johnson fails by one vote". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Andrews, Becca (April 8, 2023). "Kamala Harris praises courage of 'Tennessee Three' on visit to Nashville". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  17. ^ Mutnick, Ally (July 21, 2023). "Member of 'Tennessee Three' set to challenge Marsha Blackburn for her Senate seat". Politico. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Kruesi, Kimberlee; Mattise, Jonathan (August 8, 2023). "Member of 'Tennessee Three' makes move toward 2024 Senate bid". AP News. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  19. ^ Kruesi, Kimberlee; Mattise, Jonathan (September 5, 2023). "Rep. Gloria Johnson of 'Tennessee Three' officially launches 2024 Senate campaign". ABC News. The Associated Press. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Allison Russell, Maren Morris among stars on 'Tennessee Rise' single supporting Gloria Johnson's Senate run". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Gloria Johnson wins Democratic primary, will face incumbent Marsha Blackburn in November". The Tennessean.
  22. ^ "2024 TN Democratic Primary Election Results - U.S. Senate Class I". The Tennessean. August 2, 2024.
  23. ^ https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/11/06/blackburn-johnson-tennessee-senate-race
  24. ^ "Tennessee State Rep. Gloria Johnson through the years". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Feinberg, Allie. "Who is Gloria Johnson of the Tennessee Three? Senate candidate is speaking at the DNC". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  26. ^ "State of Tennessee November 8, 2011 General Election" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. February 21, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  27. ^ "State of Tennessee August 2, 2012 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. August 29, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  28. ^ "State of Tennessee November 6, 2012 General Election" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 5, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  29. ^ "State of Tennessee August 7, 2014 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. September 2, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  30. ^ "State of Tennessee November 4, 2014 State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 3, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  31. ^ "State of Tennessee August 4, 2016 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. September 1, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  32. ^ "State of Tennessee November 8, 2016 State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 13, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  33. ^ "August 2, 2018 State of Tennessee - Totals Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. August 30, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  34. ^ "November 6, 2018 State of Tennessee - Totals State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  35. ^ "State of Tennessee August 6, 2020 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  36. ^ "November 3, 2020 State of Tennessee State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 2, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  37. ^ "State of Tennessee August 4, 2022 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. September 1, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  38. ^ "November 8, 2022 State of Tennessee - Totals State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 13, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gloria Johnson (politician).
Tennessee House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 13th district
2013–2015 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Eddie Smith
 Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 13th district
2019–2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 90th district
2023–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Tennessee
(Class 1)
2024 		Most recent
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