Charlene Ward Johnson

Charlene Ward Johnson was born in Temple, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston in 1992 and a graduate degree from the University of Arizona Global Campus in 2020. Her career experience includes working as a manager.[1][2]

Ward Johnson has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2]

Greater Houston Frontiers Club, Inc

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Top Ladies of Distinction-HIC Chapter

Houston Livestock and Rodeo

University of Houston Alumni Foundation

A. Philip Randolph Institute

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have over 20 years of leadership experience advocating for opportunities and resources being brought into the district. I am currently a Houston Community College Board Trustee. I serve in leadership roles on several community boards. I have 30 years of working in Corporate America.

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?

Quality Education: I will work to bring educational opportunities in the district. I will advocate for funding for public schools, universities, community colleges, that includes academics, job and workforce skills.Job Opportunities: I will work to create better opportunities for the district such as better jobs. I will help small businesses and entrepreneurs. I will partner with unions, local charities and businesses to help bring in much needed resources.Access to Quality Healthcare: The people in the district need access to quality healthcare, including women's reproductive rights. I will work to expand Medicaid to help place a cap on the rising cost of prescription drugs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about changing the funding formula for public schools. The schools in lower economic status require more funding than more affluent communities.

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

Having good communications skills that include being a good listener. You also must be able to communicate effectively with your constituents. They must be compassionate about helping improve the issues of the people in the district.

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

I have years of experience volunteering in the community to help improve the lives of others.

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

The elected official must be responsive to their constituents. They pass laws that government the state. They approve the budget and advocate for funding for activities and services in their district.

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

My first job was a cashier at Grandy's restaurant. I had it for 6 months. That was the beginning of my career in customer service.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is the Bible

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The biggest challenges are public education and immigration.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I believe experience is beneficial to state legislations. Experience does matter.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, because in order to pass legislation you will need the support of other to Legislators.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Black Women of Greater Houston

Representative Jarvis Johnson

What committees interest you?

Public Education, Higher Education, Energy

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Elected officials must be transparent in their financial spending of the budget.

Note: Ward Johnson submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on February 6, 2024.

Show past responsesHide past responses

January 22 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been a community advocate long before I ran for a political office

I am current a Houston Community College Board Trustee. In addition to my 30 years experience working in corporate America, I spend much of my free time giving back to my community. Over the years I have served on several diverse community boards. I serve as Vice President of the Greater Houston Frontiers Club. I also serve as the Public Affairs Committee chair on the University of Houston Alumni Foundation Board, Community Service for Top Ladies of Distinction-HIC Chapter, Social Justice Chair of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc-Xi Alpha Omega Chair. I am also a 12 year volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I am a Lifetime member of the A. Philip Randolph Institute: Tideland Houston Chapter.

I am a mother of two adult children.

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?

Experienced Leadership Experience contributing to the expansion of educational options for our youth and senior adults.This District needs an effective Representative who has the experience to bring in resources to the districtI will work to make our communities safer and cleaner

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about the funding for public education including teachers' pay. I believe students deserve quality education regardless of their economic status. I am passionate about bringing educational opportunities to the district so the people can attain the skills and knowledge that lead to jobs. I support workforce training and unions that fight for workers to have livable wages, rest breaks, safe working conditions and the right to organize.

I am passionate about having access to quality healthcare and the expansion of Medicaid to help place caps on the cost prescriptions drugs for seniors.

I want to work to make neighborhoods safer and cleaner

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I looked up to my Dad because he would always pull over to help someone. He spoke with mind when he felt someone was doing something wrong. That is the example I want to follow. Both my parents believed in helping people if they had the opportunity.

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

The Bible

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

Leadership skills, Honesty, Ethical behavior, Transparency,

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

The event that stands out is In 1995, Dr Bernard Shaw became the first African American astronaut to spacewalk.

was 30 years old

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

My first job was at Grandy's Restaurant as a cashier when I was in High school. I was employed there for 1 year

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

No, there is a lot of conflict and unresolved issues between the governor and the state legislator.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The greatest challenge is public education vs school vouchers, border security, voting rights, women's rights, healthcare, unions and gun control

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I believe that a candidate should be able to prove they have been a successful leader. The constituents rely on their legislators to advocate on their behalf. Therefore, the candidate needs to show they have the experience to handle all the duties of that elected office.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, I believe it is beneficial because it takes a majority to pass legislation. The legislators need the support of other legislators sometime for other another to pass laws.

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

I want to be trailblazers like Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators 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?

Yes I love to hear stories of success from students who have received scholarships from the organizations that I serve as a board member.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes

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

Yes, Compromise is part of negotiating. It can help resolve some conflict between the two parties. It can be a means of coming to a mutual acceptance of the policy.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Rep. Jarvis Johnson, the incumbent

Rep. Jolanda Jones

What committees interest you?

Higher Education

Energy Resources

Business and Industry'

County AffairNote: [the profile publisher] reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by [the profile publisher] will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from [the profile publisher].org. [the profile publisher] does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.Note: Ward Johnson submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on January 22, 2024.