Gloria Johnson (politician)

Last updated

President Joe Biden with Gloria Johnson at the White House in April 2023 President Joe Biden meets Democratic Tennessee State legislator Gloria Johnson, one of the "Tennessee Three" at the White House Oval Office on April 24, 2023 - P20230424AS-1268.jpg
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

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

Johnson lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is Christian. [24] Johnson is a retired special education teacher of 27 years. [25] She was a teacher at Central High School in Knoxville when a shooting occurred at the school in 2008. [26]

Electoral history

2011–2020

Gloria Johnson
Gloria Johnson(cropped).jpg
Johnson in 2023
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Tennessee's 6th senate district special election results, 2011 [27]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Becky Duncan Massey 10,006 63.56
Democratic Gloria S. Johnson5,73736.44
Total votes15,743 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2012 [28]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 778 100.0
Total votes778 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2012 [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 10,018 48.09
Republican Gary Loe9,73046.71
Independent Nick H. Cazana1,0845.20
Total votes20,832 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2014 [30]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 1,798 100.0
Total votes1,798 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2014 [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Eddie Smith 6,730 50.69
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent)6,54849.31
Total votes13,278 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2016 [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 1,639 100.0
Total votes1,639 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2016 [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Eddie Smith (incumbent) 11,162 50.34
Democratic Gloria Johnson11,01149.66
Total votes22,173 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2018 [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 4,243 100.0
Total votes4,243 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2018 [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 11,495 54.92
Republican Eddie Smith (incumbent)9,04143.20
Independent Zachary Houk3941.88
Total votes20,930 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district Democratic primary, 2020 [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 5,031 100.0
Total votes5,031 100.0
Tennessee's 13th representative district election results, 2020 [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 14,242 52.93
Republican Elaine Davis12,66447.07
Total votes26,906 100.0

2022–present

Tennessee's 90th representative district Democratic primary, 2022 [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 3,690 100.0
Total votes3,690 100.0
Tennessee's 90th representative district election results, 2022 [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (incumbent) 8,473 57.90
Republican David "Pozy" Poczobut6,16242.10
Total votes14,635 100.0
2024 U.S. Senate Democratic primary results [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 143,962 70.20%
Democratic Marquita Bradshaw 44,65721.78%
Democratic Lola Brown10,0274.89%
Democratic Civil Miller-Watkins6,4203.13%
Total votes205,066 100.00%
2024 Tennessee House of Representatives District 90 Democratic Primary [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (inc.) 4,041 100.00%
Total votes4,041 100.00%
2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee [41]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) 1,918,743 63.80% +9.09%
Democratic Gloria Johnson 1,027,46134.16%−9.76%
Independent Tharon Chandler28,4440.95%N/A
Independent Pamela Moses24,6820.82%N/A
Independent Hastina Robinson8,2780.28%N/A
Total votes3,007,608 100.00%


2024 Tennessee House of Representatives District 90 Election [41]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gloria Johnson (inc.) 16,372 99.7%
Write-in Zachary Houk510.3%
Total votes16,423 100.00%

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marsha Blackburn</span> American politician (born 1952)

Mary Marsha Blackburn is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Tennessee. Blackburn was first elected to the Senate in 2018. A member of the Republican Party, Blackburn was a state senator from 1999 to 2003 and represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019, during which time the National Journal rated her among the House's most conservative members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Bredesen</span> Governor of Tennessee from 2003 to 2011

Philip Norman Bredesen Jr. is an American politician and businessman who served as the 48th governor of Tennessee from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected in 2002 with 50.6% of the vote and re-elected in 2006 with 68.6%. He served as the 66th mayor of Nashville from 1991 to 1999. Bredesen is the founder of the HealthAmerica Corporation, which he sold in 1986. He is the last Democrat to win and/or hold statewide office in Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee House of Representatives</span> Lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly

The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower house of the Tennessee General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diane Black</span> American politician (born 1951)

Diane Lynn Black is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 6th congressional district from January 3, 2011, to January 3, 2019. The district includes several suburban and rural areas east of Nashville. A Republican, she was previously elected to the Tennessee Senate, serving as floor leader of the Republican Caucus. She unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination in the 2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Democratic Party</span> Tennessee affiliate of the U.S. Democratic Party

The Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP) is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in Tennessee. The party was founded in 1826 initially as the Jacksonian Party. The Tennessee Democratic Party was born out of President Andrew Jackson's populist philosophy of Jacksonian democracy in the mid to late-1820s. After Jackson left office, the Democratic Party struggled in the state as the Whig Party would go on to be the dominant party in Tennessee until its collapse after the 1852 Election. Prior to the Civil War, as a result of the collapse of the former Whig Party, the Democratic Party became the dominant party in the state. After the war ended, the Republican Party would be the dominant political party during Reconstruction, but once Reconstruction ended, the Democratic Party would dominate Tennessee Politics up until 2011 when the Republican Party would gain firm control of Tennessee State Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in Tennessee</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate from the State of Tennessee. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander defeated Democrat Gordon Ball, and was re-elected to a third term in office with 61.9% of the vote against 31.9%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Green (Tennessee politician)</span> American politician & physician (born 1964)

Mark Edward Green is an American politician, physician, and retired U.S. Army officer who has served as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 7th congressional district since 2019. As a member of the Republican Party, Green has chaired the Committee on Homeland Security since 2023. Before his election to Congress, he served in the Tennessee Senate from 2013 to 2018, representing the 22nd district.

Susan M. Lynn is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 57 since January 8, 2013. Lynn served from January 2003 until November 2010. In 2012 Lynn was re-elected to the Tennessee House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee was held on November 8, 2016, to elect the nine U.S. representatives from the state of Tennessee, one from each of the state's nine congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including President of the United States. The primaries were held on August 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Bill Haslam was term-limited, and is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term. Republican candidate Bill Lee was elected with 59.6% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee and former Nashville mayor Karl Dean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee</span>

The 2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 6, 2018, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican senator Bob Corker opted to retire instead of running for a third term. Republican U.S. representative Marsha Blackburn won the open seat, defeating former Democratic governor Phil Bredesen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Tennessee</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Tennessee was held on November 3, 2020, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate. The 2020 U.S. presidential election and elections to the U.S. House of Representatives were also held, as well as the State Senate and State House elections. Incumbent Republican Senator Lamar Alexander announced that he would not run for re-election on December 17, 2018. The former United States Ambassador to Japan, Bill Hagerty won the open seat by a large margin defeating his Democratic opponent Marquita Bradshaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the nine U.S. representatives from the state of Tennessee, one from each of the state's nine congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including the gubernatorial election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diana Harshbarger</span> American politician (born 1960)

Diana Lynn Harshbarger is an American pharmacist, businesswoman, and politician. A member of the Republican Party, she has served as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 1st congressional district since January 3, 2021. Her district is based in the Tri-Cities area in northeastern Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election</span>

The 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Lee is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Tennessee. Incumbent one-term Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn defeated state representative Gloria Johnson with 63.8% of the vote. Blackburn significantly improved on her performance from 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Jones (Tennessee politician)</span> American activist and politician (born 1995)

Justin Jones is an American activist and politician from the state of Tennessee. A member of the Democratic Party, he serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 52, representing parts of Nashville. As of 2023, Jones is the second youngest member of the State House, and youngest Democratic lawmaker. He was expelled in April 2023 for violating decorum rules by leading a gun control protest on the House floor after the Covenant Mass shooting occurred, and Republican lawmakers returned to business as usual. The Nashville Metro Council voted unanimously to reinstate Jones as an interim representative pending a special election to fill the seat. He later won a special election in August 2023 to continue serving as a full member, and again in November 2024 to serve his second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions</span>

On April 6, 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted on resolutions to expel Democratic Representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin J. Pearson for violating the chamber's decorum rules by leading personal protests for gun reform on the House floor and joining demonstrators in the chamber's public galleries during a legislative session three days after the 2023 Nashville school shooting. Resolutions for the expulsions of Jones and Pearson passed with a two-thirds majority, and they were removed from office. The resolution against Johnson failed to pass by one vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aftyn Behn</span> American politician

Aftyn Alyssa Behn is an American politician and a Democratic representative for District 51 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Tennessee House of Representatives election</span>

The 2024 Tennessee House of Representatives election was held on November 5, 2024, to elect 99 seats for the Tennessee House of Representatives. The elections coincided with the Presidential, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and State Senate elections. The primary election was held on August 1, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Gloria Johnson's Biography". Project Vote Smart . Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  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. 1 2 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. ↑ "Live results: Tennessee race between U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, state Rep. Gloria Johnson". November 6, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Gloria Johnson's Biography". Vote Smart . Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Tennessee State Rep. Gloria Johnson through the years". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  26. ↑ Feinberg, Allie. "Who is Gloria Johnson of the Tennessee Three? Senate candidate is speaking at the DNC". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  27. ↑ "State of Tennessee November 8, 2011 General Election" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. February 21, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ "State of Tennessee August 2, 2012 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. August 29, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  29. ↑ "State of Tennessee November 6, 2012 General Election" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 5, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  30. ↑ "State of Tennessee August 7, 2014 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. September 2, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  31. ↑ "State of Tennessee November 4, 2014 State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 3, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  32. ↑ "State of Tennessee August 4, 2016 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. September 1, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  33. ↑ "State of Tennessee November 8, 2016 State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 13, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  34. ↑ "August 2, 2018 State of Tennessee - Totals Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. August 30, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  35. ↑ "November 6, 2018 State of Tennessee - Totals State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State . Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  36. ↑ "State of Tennessee August 6, 2020 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State . Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  37. ↑ "November 3, 2020 State of Tennessee State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 2, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  38. ↑ "State of Tennessee August 4, 2022 Democratic Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. September 1, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  39. ↑ "November 8, 2022 State of Tennessee - Totals State General" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. December 13, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  40. 1 2 "August 1, 2024 Democratic Primary United States Senate" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  41. 1 2 State of Tennessee General Election Results, November 5, 2024, Results By Office (PDF) (Report). Secretary of State of Tennessee. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
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
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.