Julie Johnson – LGBTQ+ Trailblazer

Julie Johnson became the first LGBTQ+ person to represent Texas and the South in Congress after the election results were certified.

Democrat who helped repeal 76 of 77 anti-LGBTQ+ bills beat Republican Darrell Day won about 50,000 votes to win the House seat in Texas’ 32nd District, which was left open when Colin Allred challenged Ted Cruz for his Senate seat.

Before running for Congress, Johnson, who called Texas “the apple of this LGBT hate nation,” served in the state House since January 2019, representing House District 115 for three terms.

On X/Twitter she wrote: “Team Julie made history tonight. I am deeply honored and humbled that you have chosen me to represent you in the 32nd District. Together, we broke down barriers and proved that representation matters.”

She went on to thank her supporters for her victory and vowed to “not rest until we achieve our goals.”

WE DID IT!

Julie’s team made history tonight. I am deeply honored and humbled that you have chosen me to represent you in the 32nd District. Together, we broke down barriers and proved that representation matters.

This moment is a testament to strength… pic.twitter.com/zCt9pVe8Ma

— Julie Johnson for Congress (@juliejohnsonTX) November 6, 2024

Former lawyer told people magazine, which she published in 1991, at age 25, while living in Dallas.

“Everyone should be represented and have a voice and a point of view in our government discourse. We all need to sit at the same table,” she said.

According to her campaign website, Johnson seeks to focus on restoring reproductive rights, strengthening gun laws, ending the “extremist agenda,” lowering prescription drug costs and defending the Affordable Care Act.

In 2019, she was one of five Democrats in Texas to form a party. first LGBTQ+ meeting in the state legislature.

Donald Trump’s victory The US presidential election will take some of the shine off Johnson’s success and she faces an uphill battle with Republicans who have regained control of the US Senate and are heading for victory in the House of Representatives.

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