Bethany Johnson

Bethany Johnson was born in Missouri. She graduated from Savannah High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University in 2017. Her career experience includes working as a data analyst. She served as a data manager for Sen. Angus King's (ind.) 2018 campaign.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I came to this district as a trans youth living out of my van, looking for safety and a future. I built a life and career here, becoming the first trans woman to play roller derby in Chicago. After some time away traveling the country and completing my college degree, I returned five years ago with my husband - because we knew this was where we wanted to build our life together.

I was forced to drop out of college in my early 20s when my parents discovered I was trans. But in 2016, I returned to Springfield, Missouri, and earned my Bachelor of Science in Theatre with a minor in Computer Science. I was told it couldn’t be done in a year, but I proved them wrong. During that time, I also fought for LGBTQ+ rights in Springfield, and later became the Data Manager for Senator Angus King’s 2018 re-election campaign. Since then, I’ve worked in data engineering and implementation roles, continuing to use my skills to support progressive causes.

I’m running because my friends, neighbors, and family know how deeply I care about this district - and because I’m tired of seeing out-of-state influencers and career politicians try to decide what’s best for us. This district deserves someone who understands it firsthand, who’s already been doing the work without chasing clout or power.

I’m not here to build a brand, I’m here to fight for the people who live and work in this district. I’ve been doing that for years, not for recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

A constituent's office that works for you, not me.

A key duty of a U.S. Representative is helping constituents navigate federal agencies -from Social Security to Veterans' services. I’ll make constituent services a top priority, with an open, accessible office staffed by social workers and at least one attorney. We'll also partner with local law schools to bring in student interns and expand our capacity to serve the community.Real consequences for masked ICE agents.

I believe Federal Law Enforcement must be fully accountable to the public. Officers who hide their identities while performing duties undermine democratic oversight. I will push for Congressional investigations into these practices and work to ensure those who violate public trust face real consequences, including dismissal and loss of pension where appropriate.More for working families and less for the rich.

I believe in higher taxes on the wealthy and a government that focuses less on the wants of the rich and more on the needs of working families, the poor, and the struggling. We need to tax the rich and invest in everyone else.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about ensuring real people get more from their government - through policies that prioritize public health, economic fairness, and strong civil rights protections. I believe government should work for everyone, especially those who’ve been underserved or ignored. From healthcare access to housing justice, reproductive freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights, I support policies that protect people’s dignity and expand opportunity.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

When I left Springfield, MO in 2003 it was right after the Buffy the Vampire Slayer finale. I understand this may seem corny - and no, I'm not joking when I say that the speech Buffy gives in the final episode has been an important part of my life since then:

"I hate this. I hate being here. I hate that you have to be here. I hate that there's evil and that I was chosen to fight it. I wish a whole lot of the time that I hadn't been. I know a lot of you wish I hadn't been, either. This isn't about wishes. This is about choices. I believe we can beat this evil. Not when it comes. Not when its army is ready. Now. Tomorrow morning, I'm opening the seal. I'm going down into the Hellmouth and I am finishing this once and for all. Right now, you're asking yourself what makes this different. What makes us anything more than a bunch of girls being picked off one by one? It's true. None of you have the power that Faith and I do.

So here's the part where you make a choice. What if you could have that power, now? In every generation, one Slayer is born, because a bunch of men who died thousands of years ago made up that rule. They were powerful men. This woman is more powerful than all of them combined. So I say we change the rule.... From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer, will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power, will have the power. Can stand up, will stand up. Slayers, every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?"

Power is not to be hoarded, it is to be shared. You can't stand around and think that there is one person that is going to save you. You have to get up and you have to save yourself and while you're doing that you have to save other people too, you have to stand up and fight for other people too - because that is what you're here to do.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A servants heart and a fighter's hands. You're not going to understand everyone, but you damn sure better work for them. Because this is a representative Democracy.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I get to the point.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve the people of their district and do their best to spread the values of their district to the rest of the country.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'd like people to remember me as someone who fights for people with less than her. I think most of the people who know me already do, I hope more people can get to know me as that person as well.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Challenger Explosion. I was 6 years old. They wheeled a tv into my first grade class so we could watch the launch that day, because "there's a teacher that is an astronaut." I thought they meant she was a teacher at our school, and we all saw it happen live.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was baling hay as a kid, but I wasn’t strong enough to stack it on the trailer like my big brother. My first real job was as a dishwasher at A&G Steakhouse in Savannah, Missouri. I started on October 13, 1993, when I was 14. My sister worked there as a waitress, and the owner asked me, “Do you work as hard as your sister?” I told him I’d work twice as hard.

Because I was so young, I was legally paid less than minimum wage, I think it was $3.25 an hour. Having a paycheck allowed me to buy my first "real" computer on credit through my mom getting an account at Radio Shack. It was a Tandy Sensation, which changed everything for me.

I worked there for four years. Even after I went to college, Ed, the owner, would treat me to a free meal and some beer money whenever I came home. I think it is my favorite job I have ever had.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Where the Red Fern Grows

It's a story about responsibility, love and sacrifice. It's one of the first books that a lot of kids read that teaches you about loss, but also what you gain through growing through loss. The story follows a young boy who first works to attain the money to buy two dogs, and then raises them. They become his best friends and their tragic death teaches him the meaning of love and the pain of moving on in life.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

If I tell you it will get stuck in my head again. Not falling for that.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House of Representatives is every citizen’s closest connection to the federal government. Your Representative is the person you turn to when you need help navigating federal agencies, programs, or policies. Unlike more distant branches of government, your House Rep is someone you can meet, speak with, and even influence. They’re meant to be accessible and accountable - a direct line between you and Washington. The House was designed to ensure that everyday people have a voice in the halls of power, and that voice should be heard clearly and often.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I believe it’s beneficial for representatives to have some experience - especially in organizing, advocacy, or working on a campaign - so they understand how government functions and how to navigate it. But someone who has spent their entire career inside government may lose touch with what everyday people are facing. To truly represent a diverse nation, we need leaders who’ve lived real lives, faced real challenges, and know what it means to be pushed to the margins. Experience matters - but so does perspective.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

One of the greatest challenges facing the United States over the next decade is delivering real accountability for those driving authoritarian and fascist policies that have harmed so many. For too long, the political establishment has urged us to “move on” instead of pursuing justice when people in power - especially on the far right - inflict real harm through illegal actions and violent policies.

We must confront and hold accountable those responsible for abuses, including ICE agents who operated with impunity, detaining people while hiding behind masks, and insurrectionists who attempted to overturn our democracy and have faced little or no consequence. A country cannot move forward or find peace when communities know their families were targeted and justice was never served. Accountability is essential to rebuilding trust, protecting democracy, and ensuring true safety for all.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Of course. The two-year term is set in the Constitution for a reason. I'm not going to Washington to argue with the ghost of Ben Franklin (though I wish I could party with him) - I’m going to serve my constituents. Frequent elections keep representatives accountable and connected to the people they represent, and I welcome that responsibility.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits, but they need to be reasonable. Most members of Congress don’t accomplish much in their first term because they’re focused on building relationships and learning how to navigate the institution. Term limits should allow enough time for representatives to gain experience and be effective, while still preventing the kind of entrenched political power that disconnects lawmakers from the people they serve.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Honestly, no - I don’t believe in modeling myself after others, though I do look up to others. To borrow a quote from Ferris Bueller quoting John Lennon: “I don’t believe in Beatles, I just believe in me.” I wasn’t made to walk in someone else’s shoes. I believe in showing up as my full self, with my own experiences, values, and voice. That’s what the people I represent deserve - authentic leadership, not imitation.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I met a man at my local dog park, and over the past several months we’ve built a quiet but meaningful friendship. He had a stroke a few years ago and is still in recovery. Though he’s been a U.S. citizen for decades, he lives in fear - fear of ICE agents wearing masks and grabbing people off the street. Because of his stroke, he can’t speak to defend himself, and that fear is very real for him.

That stayed with me. He is a neighbor, a citizen, and a human being who deserves safety, dignity, and peace of mind. I’m running to fight for people like him - for his healthcare, his security, and his right to live without fear in the country he calls home.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely, compromise is both necessary and desirable in policymaking, but not on every issue. We should be willing to find common ground on matters like taxes and budgets to keep government functioning. However, when it comes to fundamental rights and people’s ability to live safely and authentically in this country, there is no room for compromise. Those are non-negotiable.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

The House holds the purse strings, and that means real power to stop funding discrimination. There are places in this country where trans people can’t even legally use the bathroom, yet those states are still getting our tax dollars to build airports, hospitals, and other infrastructure that exclude us.

If Florida wants federal money to build an airport where I, a trans woman, can’t use the bathroom, I want to be able to say, “No more money, honey.” If Alabama wants to build a hospital but refuses emergency care to trans people, I want to tell them to take their bigotry and shove it, or lose the funding.

We have the power to cut off the cash to anyone who discriminates. Like a rebellious teenager who just turned 18, the only thing that truly forces change is closing the wallet. If they want to keep their hate, they can do it without our money. I have a feeling these places will crawl back to us pretty quickly to say they'll change their ways to get their funding.

This is how we hold them accountable. This is how we protect our rights. It’s exactly how the Civil Rights Act is supposed to work, and how the Equality Act would work if we could get it passed. Until then, we should use the power of the budget to make it happen.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The House must use its investigative powers aggressively and without hesitation. We need to identify these masked ICE agents who are terrorizing our communities, hold them accountable, fire them, and strip them of their benefits. No one is above the law, and those who abuse their power must face real consequences.

The House’s oversight role isn’t just a formality, it’s essential to protecting our rights and ensuring justice for all.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

You wouldn't know them. The people who want me to run for office are every day people who need help. Most of the people who want me to run are disabled or elderly every day people. But that's enough for me. I don't give a good goddamn who the Chamber of Commerce wants to be our next Representative, but my friend and neighbor Carlos sure as hell matters to me.

What committees interest you?

My top choice would be the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. We need real consequences for federal agents and officials who have abused their power or violated the rights of the people they are meant to serve. I believe strongly that Congress must not shy away from investigating those who have acted unlawfully or unethically - especially when those actions are masked by federal authority. Oversight isn't just a political tool; it’s a critical function of democracy and justice.

I’m also deeply interested in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Scientific advancement has shaped every major leap forward in our country’s history - from medicine to clean energy to space exploration. Having a hand in shaping national policy that supports research, innovation, and equitable access to technological progress would be both a gift and an honor. As someone with a background in both the arts and computer science, I see science as not just a technical field, but a driver of imagination, growth, and progress.

Another committee that inspires me is Natural Resources. Theodore Roosevelt is a personal hero, and I take seriously the legacy of conservation he began. I believe our natural landscapes are not only beautiful - they’re vital to our health, economy, and sense of national identity. Protecting public lands, ensuring clean water, and addressing the climate crisis should be central to our legislative mission.

And barring those, I’d happily join the Party Planning Committee - because let’s be honest, birthdays in Congress are serious business and a lot of these cakes have so many candles on them they can be a real fire hazard. In all seriousness, I believe humor is essential. Never take yourself too seriously, but always take the work - and the lives it affects - very seriously.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The government works for us. And the money they spend is our money. This country is for "We the People" not just some elite folks at the top.