April 14, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Gloria Johnson of Knoxville was in Smithville Saturday for a campaign event hosted by the DeKalb County Democratic Party.
Johnson is among four candidates vying for the nomination of the Tennessee Democratic Party in the primary on August 1. The winner will likely face first term Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood in the November General Election. The term is for six years. Blackburn has one opponent in the state GOP Primary in August.
After a potluck meal, Representative Johnson spoke to supporters and then had a meet and greet.
Johnson spoke with WJLE after the event.
“The campaign is going great. We are showing up everywhere. That’s one of the things this campaign is going to do. We are going to visit every county. We are so excited about the crowds we are bringing and the people that are fired up for this election. I just can’t thank the people enough for all their support,” said Representative Johnson.
Currently a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representative from District 90 based in Knoxville, Johnson explained how she became interested in politics.
“I was a schoolteacher and taught for 27 years. I taught special education. I really wasn’t into party politics or politics at all. I voted but really wasn’t involved or engaged. I got involved because of Barack Obama. He really spoke to me about so many things. I said I am a schoolteacher, but you (Obama campaign) can have all my weekends and my vacations, and I will work for your campaign,” said Representative Johnson. “I got trained up with a lot or organizers and after that (Presidential) election was over I wanted to get involved locally because what affects you is what is happening locally. I started getting involved in issues like healthcare and public education. I already was involved because of public education. I really wanted to work for Medicaid expansion because my sister was very ill and lost her insurance after a time because everything was so expensive. She finally got her insurance back because of the pre-existing conditions problem going away thanks to the ACA (Affordable Care Act). The more you find out the more you want to work for these things that are so good for Tennessee families. Making sure every family has access to health care. Making sure that everybody, no matter your zip code, has a great public school, and make sure that everybody is earning a living wage so they can feed the family and keep the lights on, buy the medicine they need, and maybe take a vacation and retire in dignity. That’s the American dream. Everyone should be able to access that who works a 40-hour week. These are policy choices made at the state, local, and federal level. We are sent to work for the people of Tennessee and that’s what I intend to do,” said State Representative Johnson.
Johnson gained national attention a year ago when she and two other state representatives, Justin Pearson of Memphis and Justin Jones of Nashville 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. Both Pearson and Jones later reclaimed their seats in a special election.