Nathan M. Johnson

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Nathan Johnson
NJ Headshot Option 1.jpg
Johnson in 2025
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 16th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2019
Website

Nathan Matthew Johnson (born February 12, 1968) is an American politician, lawyer, and composer serving as a member of the Texas Senate for the 16th district. In the November 6, 2018, election, Johnson defeated incumbent Republican Don Huffines [1] to become the first Democrat to represent the district in over three decades.

Contents

Early life and education

Johnson is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He received a B.S. in physics from the University of Arizona in 1990 and a J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1993. [2] In college, he volunteered for victims of domestic violence. [3]

Johnson practices business law and bankruptcy law. [2] He co-founded a law firm specializing with business disputes, while working pro-bono for Human Rights Initiative of North Texas. [4]

In 2019, Johnson joined Thompson & Night LLP (which later merged under Holland & Knight) as counsel for the Dallas trial practice group. [2] In July 2023, Johnson joined Thompson Coburn, [5] where he practices commercial litigation in Dallas. [6]

Johnson owned a music production company, where he composed music for the Funimation produced English dub of Dragon Ball Z . [4] [3]

Texas Senate

Johnson speaking at the Massachusetts State House on August 5, 2025, during the 2025 Texas walkout, accompanied by other Texas legislators, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, and Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin. Nathan M. Johnson (Texas Senate) speaks at Massachusetts State House on Aug. 5, 2025, amid Texas walkout over redistricting.jpg
Johnson speaking at the Massachusetts State House on August 5, 2025, during the 2025 Texas walkout, accompanied by other Texas legislators, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, and Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin.

Johnson participated in the 2025 Texas walkout, leaving the state in hopes of denying quorum for Republican efforts to pass a modified congressional gerrymander mid-decade. [7]

Political positions

The Texas Tribune notes that Johnson's centrist voting record is nearly indistinguishable from most of the other Democrats in the Texas Senate according to political scientists and he has generally avoided partisan attacks from the left. [8]

Committee assignments

Source: [9]

2026 Attorney General bid

On July 15, 2025, Johnson announced his bid for the 2026 Texas Attorney General election, seeking to replace four-term Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. [6]

Electoral history

2018

2018 Texas elections: Senate District 16 [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nathan Johnson 159,228 54.13%
Republican Don Huffines (incumbent)134,93345.87%
Democratic gain from Republican
Democratic Primary: Senate District 16 [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nathan Johnson 25,437 69.57%
Democratic Joe Bogen11,12530.43%

2022

2022 Texas elections: Senate District 16 [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nathan Johnson (incumbent) 118,663 61.95%
Republican Brandon Copeland72,88538.05%
Democratic hold
Democratic Primary: Senate District 16 [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nathan Johnson 31,323 100%

2024

2024 Texas Senate District 16 Democratic primary
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nathan M. Johnson (incumbent) 19,629 59.15%
Democratic Victoria Neave 13,55440.85%
Total votes33,183 100.00%

References

  1. Samuels, Alex (November 7, 2018). "Democrats Nathan Johnson and Beverly Powell defeat state Sens. Don Huffines and Konni Burton in Texas midterm". The Texas Tribune.
  2. 1 2 3 "Thompson & Knight welcomes State Senator Nathan Johnson as Counsel in Dallas". Kinney Recruiting's Texas Chronicles. September 25, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Brajgowicz, Brooke (November 8, 2018). "Former 'Dragon Ball Z' Composer Nathan Johnson Elected to Texas State Senate". Billboard . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "A 'Dragon Ball Z' Composer Unseated a Texas Republican Senator and Other Downballot Democratic Victories you didn't hear about". The Intercept . November 8, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  5. "Thompson Coburn Continues Growth With the Addition of Two Partners and a Texas State Senator as Counsel in Dallas". Thompson Coburn . July 17, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Bugenhagen, Faith (July 15, 2025). "A Democratic lawmaker just entered the crowded race for Texas Attorney General". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  7. "'The People Are Watching': Texas Dems Speak From Boston As Redistricting Fight Continues". NBC Boston. August 6, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  8. Harper, Karen Brooks (March 6, 2024). "State Sen. Nathan Johnson victorious after surprise challenge from Rep. Victoria Neave Criado". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  9. "Senator Nathan Johnson: District 16". senate.texas.gov. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  10. "Race Summary Report: 2018 General Election". elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  11. Office of the Secretary of State. "Race Summary Report; 2018 Democratic Party Primary Results". sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  12. Office of the Secretary of State. "Race Summary Report; 2022 General Election". sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  13. "2022 Texas Democratic Primary f Results". elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved June 21, 2023.