Profile in Politics - Daniel Johnson
Family: Married to Creecy Chandler Johnson. The Johnsons are expecting their first child, a little girl, in June.
Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA in History, 1998; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, J.D., 2004
Occupation: Attorney, former prosecutor
Elected positions held: This is Johnson’s first campaign for elected office.
Notable information: Navy ROTC,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1996-1998;
U.S. Navy, 1998 - 2000;
Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the nation’s highest medal for heroism in peacetime, 1999;
Man of the Year, Hickory Daily Record, 1999;
Distinguished Young Alumni Award, University of North Carolina, 2000;
Assistant District Attorney, Wake County, North Carolina, 2004 - 2007.
For more information (campaign telephone numbers, web sites, etc.): For more information, visit www.danieljohnson08.com or call our office at 324-2255.
Why are you running? I did not plan on a life in politics. I had become frustrated with how things in Washington work-or rather how things in Washington don’t work. But when people that I respect from growing up in the 10th District approached me about running for Congress, I saw that we needed a new voice in Washington. We need a Congressman who looks past partisan politics to meet our real needs: the need for new jobs, lower gas prices, fiscal responsibility in government, and care for our military men and women.
What qualities make you the best candidate? I have committed my life to public service, and my background demonstrates that I have the personal courage and character needed to make the right decisions for the 10th District. My father, a minister, and my mother, a public schoolteacher, raised me to value serving others. During college, I joined the U.S. Navy. During my service, a sailor under my command became entangled in a tug boat line. While freeing my crewmate, I lost both of my legs. After recovering at Walter Reed, I worked for Senator Max Cleland. Then I went to law school, where I met my wife Creecy. I then served as a felony prosecutor. As a veteran, a prosecutor, and an expectant father, I have the judgment and leadership needed to serve the 10th District.
What is the biggest issue facing the district? How would you address it? In Congress, my highest priority will be to help our District recover from the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs. I will fight for fair, enforceable trade laws that safeguard North Carolina jobs and increase the export of products produced here. I will protect North Carolina’s favorable business climate so that new industries continue to move into our region, while also ensuring that the community’s needs are met. I will also work to position the 10th District to take advantage of new industries and waves of economic growth, such as the development of renewable energy sources.
Where do you see the district in 10 years and how will you help it get there? I envision our District with new anchors for our economy, a well-supported and reformed public school system, and high quality, low-cost healthcare. In Congress, I will fight for new jobs by demanding fair trade laws, the maintenance our infrastructure, and investment in growth industries like renewable energy resources. I will work to make sure “No Child Left Behind” has the funding and useful standards schools need to improve. I will advocate for solutions that drive down the costs while maintaining quality of care, like emphasizing preventative care, transferring medical records to electronic files, and cracking down on waste and fraud.
What is your stance on illegal immigration? What steps would you take to address it? We are a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws, and there should be no blanket amnesty for those who break our laws. Unfortunately, Congress has abdicated its duty to secure our borders by allowing partisan bickering to stand in the way of real immigration reform. As an Assistant District Attorney, I prosecuted individuals who took advantage of our broken system to enter the country illegally and commit violent crimes. I believe first and foremost that the border must be secured. Then, we need an immigration policy that protects our nation, helps American employers, relieves the American taxpayer, and supports the American worker.
Gas prices continue to be a growing burden to Americans. What is your solution? Sky-rocketing gas prices are creating an enormous strain on our families and our small businesses. At the same time, the United States’ dependence on Middle East oil leaves our national security at the mercy of foreign regimes. In Congress, I will advocate for private industry and consumers to increase the efficiency of fossil fuel use while simultaneously encouraging the production of renewable energy sources. These efforts will drive down gas prices, secure our nation, create jobs, and protect our natural resources.
