Chris Johnson (Mississippi politician)

Chris Johnson (born 1978) is an American politician serving in the Mississippi State Senate from the 45th district since 2020.[1] He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 87th district from 2016 to 2020.[2]

Chris Johnson
Member of the Mississippi State Senate from the 45th district
Assumed office
January 7, 2020
Preceded byBilly Hudson
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 87th district
In office
January 5, 2016 – January 7, 2020
Preceded byJohnny Stringer
Succeeded byWilliam Andrews III
Personal details
Born
Chris Johnson

1978
Political partyRepublican
Children2
Alma materPearl River Community College
University of Southern Mississippi
OccupationBusiness owner

Early life and education

Johnson attended Forrest County Agricultural High School located in the outskirts of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[1] He attended Pearl River Community College and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2001.[2][3]

Career

Johnson is an owner of multiple businesses, including a financial services firm operating in four states.[4]

In 2015, he ran as a Republican for election to the Mississippi House of Representatives for the 87th district, which covers Forrest and Lamar counties, to fill the seat of retiring Democrat Johnny Stringer.[5] He got 49.2% of the vote in the Republican primary and 80.2% of the vote in the general election; he assumed office on January 5th, 2016.[5] In the house, he was vice-chairman for the Public Health and Human Services committee and was a member on the following others: Agriculture; Corrections; Education; Banking and Financial Services; Transportation; and Performance Based Budgeting.[2]

In 2019, incumbent, and friend of Johnson, Billy Hudson of the 45th district announced his retirement from the Mississippi State Senate, prompting Johnson to run for election to the seat within one day.[3][6] He responded to claims of dismay from Republican leadership in the House as "rumors."[7] He ran uncontested in the Republican primary and general election, securing 100% of the vote in both; he assumed office on January 7th, 2020.[8] In the Senate, he chairs the Constitution committee and is vice-chair for the Medicaid committee.[1] He is a member on the following others: Appropriations; Business and Financial Institutions; Drug Policy; Education; Insurance; Public, Health, and Welfare; and Tourism.[1]

Political positions

In June of 2020, he vouched as Constitution committee chairman that he would not take up any resolution to change the state flag, instead favoring a vote by the public.[9] He later voted against changing the Mississippi state flag.[10]

Personal life

Johnson is married to Wendi Burton and has two children.[1]

References
  1. "Chris Johnson". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  2. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  3. Ciurczak, Ellen. "Rep. Chris Johnson: Seeking balance in busy life". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  4. Carter, Courtney (2018-10-02). "Chris Johnson announces state senate bid". Mississippi Politics and News - Y'all Politics. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  5. "Mississippi House of Representatives District 87". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  6. Ciurczak, Ellen. "Rep. Chris Johnson announces he'll run for retiring Billy Hudson's seat". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  7. "Bradley won't seek state senate seat; Johnson commits | HubCitySPOKES". www.hubcityspokes.com. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  8. "Mississippi State Senate District 45". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  9. "Move by Hosemann nearly assures death of bill that would change state flag". The Vicksburg Post. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  10. Bologna, Giacomo. "Here is how each lawmaker voted on the Mississippi state flag resolution". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
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