Drew Johnson

Drew Johnson was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. He earned a high school diploma from Science Hill High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Belmont University in 2001 and a master's degree from Pepperdine University in 2003. His career experience includes working as a policy analyst.[1][2]

Drew Johnson has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Send a message to Drew Johnson asking him to fill out the survey.

If you are Drew Johnson, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Drew Johnson to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing drew@drewfornevada.com.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Drew Johnson is a well-known government watchdog, columnist and public policy analyst.

Drew has saved taxpayers more than $60 billion in his career as a leading government watchdog. He created parental choice legislation that allowed tens of thousands of students to get an excellent education at the schools of their choice. His campaign to slash licensing burdens allowed hardworking small business owners the chance to live their American Dream.

Drew was raised by a single mother who worked two jobs in an impoverished area of rural Appalachia. After working his way through Belmont University and earning a Master of Public Policy degree from Pepperdine, he dedicated his career to creating public policy solutions rooted in limited government and individual liberty.

At just 24, Drew lived in his car while establishing the Beacon Center of Tennessee, one of America's most innovative conservative think tanks. While serving as president of the organization, he famously exposed Al Gore's hypocritical home energy consumption was 20 times the average US household.

Drew has researched tax, budget, transportation, technology, and energy policy issues at the National Taxpayers Union, the American Enterprise Institute, The Washington Times and Fox News.

Drew and his wife Sarah, who serves as the Director of Nevada's Office of Small Business Advocacy, own a small business and started the Vegas Golden Knights' beloved "Victory Flamingo" tradition.

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?

I’ve spent my career identifying wasteful spending and working with members of Congress to save taxpayers billions. That experience makes me better prepared than anyone in Southern Nevada to tackle our inflation crisis.

We must reform entitlements and slash excessive discretionary spending on foreign aid and pork projects. Reducing these expenses will cut our interest payments – the fastest-rising portion of our federal spending.

Failed green energy policies have artificially curbed the supply of oil and natural gas, increasing the price of almost everything Nevadans buy. I will vote to cut red tape that discourages domestic energy production. And I will fight to end senseless trade wars that increased the cost of many imported goods.Open borders are a security threat that invites deadly drugs and human trafficking into our country. A third of NV-3 is comprised of first and second-generation legal immigrants. Failed politicians like Joe Biden and Susie Lee have disrespected these immigrants who followed the law by allowing criminals to cut line.

I support deporting illegal immigrants by increasing cooperation between federal immigration enforcement agencies and local law enforcement to identify and apprehend illegal immigrants.If we don’t take immediate action, Social Security benefits will be slashed by 23% in 2035. I want my legacy in Congress to be the person who saved Social Security. I will propose overhauling Social Security’s outdated method of calculating cost of living increases, which would solve 20% of Social Security’s long-term fiscal insolvency. In research I performed for the Heritage Foundation, I also discovered that we can save more than $20 billion annually by creating programs that incentivize people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits to return to work, even in a limited capacity.

Unlike Susie Lee, I will fight to preserve our seniors’ Medicare Advantage plans that have been under attack by the Biden administration.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am best-known for researching tax and budget policies at the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. My passion for exposing wasteful spending and ensuring government is respectful of taxpayers' money is rooted in my childhood. I lived in a poor area that was the focus of numerous government programs. But that money was often wasted and those government programs never improved the lives of my family or any of the people in my community.

I also served as the national director of Protect Internet Freedom, where I extensively researched tech policy and intellectual property rights. More recently, I've focused on drug pricing, and transportation and energy issues.

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

"The Road to Serfdom" by Friedrich Hayek and "Capitalism and Freedom" by Milton Friedman

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

The single most important characteristic for an elected official is an understanding of, and respect for, the proper role of their position as defined by the guiding document of that position, whether it's the U.S. Constitution, a state constitution, or a city charter. In the case of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, that supreme law is the United States Constitution.

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

According to the Constitution, Congress' core responsibilities are organizing the executive and judicial branches, raising revenue, declaring war, and making all laws necessary for carrying out those powers. But, in my view, members of Congress also have a responsibility to carry out those responsibilities while restricting the size, scope, and cost of government in order to ensure the government does not encroach on the rights and liberties of its citizens.

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

The explosion of the Challenger. I was 6 years old and school was cancelled due to a snow storm. I was watching live and I remember exactly where I was.

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

I was a bagger at the Food Lion in Johnson City, TN, for a year. I was responsible for the back-breaking task of mopping an entire supermarket every night.

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

The short length of its terms, the responsibility to represent the unique needs of constituents rather than all people of a state (in most cases, anyway), and the requirement that spending bills originate in the House are what sets the House apart from other legislative bodies.

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

In order to be an effective representative for constituents, knowledge of the mechanics of the government and experience with a number of areas of public policy is absolutely essential. Otherwise, it will be impossible to establish the respect and influence necessary to be an effective legislator.

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

While there are sexier topics, the most important issue is the national debt.

As the U.S. federal debt climbs above $34 trillion, exceeding the nation's annual economic output, it's crucial to understand the real impact for the economy, business investments, and government policy.

Firstly, higher debt means higher interest costs. As the government borrows more, it must pay more in interest. Projections by the Congressional Budget Office suggest that interest payments could consume a staggering 40 percent of federal revenues by 2052. This leaves policymakers facing tough choices about what to programs to cut in order to service the debt.

Moreover, mounting debt drives up interest rates. For every 1 percentage point increase in the federal debt-to-GDP ratio, interest rates could rise significantly, potentially adding $30 trillion in interest costs over three decades. This could lead to investor concerns about the government's ability to manage its debt, resulting in even higher Treasury yields and exacerbating the problem.

Foreign investors, who hold a substantial portion of U.S. debt, would also be affected as interest rates climb. This would lead to increased interest payments leaving the country, reducing America's net international income and potentially weakening its global economic position. Additionally, as the government competes for funds, private investments suffer. Savings that could otherwise fuel productive ventures like startups and research are diverted to Treasury securities, stifling economic growth and income potential.

Growing debt burdens, escalating interest costs, and diminished private investments paint a troubling picture for the nation's future.

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

Yes. Although the prospect of a continuous election cycle is daunting, the ability of constituents to hold representatives accountable every two years allows voters to directly impact government in a way that is found nowhere else at the federal level.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I proudly signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge to cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits Amendment of three House terms and

two Senate terms.

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

I tend to respect fiscally conservative, free market-oriented lawmakers who are considered knowledgeable about policy issues and shy away from creating chaos or bringing attention to themselves. Justin Amash, Gary Palmer, Thomas Massie, and Tom McClintock are recent/current examples.

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

Yes, but not at the expense of threatening constitutionally protected rights and liberties or betraying my guiding principles.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Riley Gaines; Rep. Diana Harshbarger; Rep. Ralph Norman; Rep. Mark Alford; former Rep. Cresent Hardy; Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony; former Nevada Govenor Bob List; Nevada Controller Andy Matthews; Boulder City Mayor Joe Hardy; Nevada State Senator Jeff Stone; Nevada State Senator Carrie Buck; Nevada Assemblywoman jill Dickman; Nevada Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant; Nevada Assemblyman Ken Gray; Henderson (NV) Councilwoman Carrie Cox; Nevada Veterans Association; Veterans in Politics International; Armed Forces Chamber; Veterans for Responsible Government; Nevadans CAN (Citizen Action Network); and many more.

What committees interest you?

Based on what I've researched and written about in my years working as a scholar and policy analyst at think tanks and as a journalist, I would be able to bring the most experience and understanding to Ways and Means; the Budget; Energy and Commerce; Foreign Affairs; the Judiciary; or Transportation and Infrastructure.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I has traveled the world teaching journalists, citizen activists, bloggers and taxpayers how to hold their government accountable using open records and other tools to improve government transparency. As a government watchdog and investigative journalist, I have forced corrupt lawmakers from office, exposed unethical and hypocritical behavior by some of the world’s most famous politicians, and fought to increase transparency from small town governments all the way to the United Nations.

I believe that, when it comes to government, sunlight truly is the best disinfectant. I pledge to be the most open and transparent elected official in America – and will force other members of Congress to follow his lead.

Campaign website

Johnson's campaign website stated the following:

Inflation & the Economy

Americans are hurting because of bad policy decisions made by our leaders in Washington. For too long, our federal government has been printing money we don’t have to pay for things we don’t need. The result is the dramatic inflation that is devastating our country.

There is no one better prepared to tackle this challenge. As one of America’s best-known and most-effective government watchdogs, Drew has exposed billions of dollars in wasteful government spending and saved taxpayers more than $60 billion in my career.

Transparency & Accountability

Drew has traveled the world teaching journalists, citizen activists, bloggers and taxpayers how to hold their government accountable using open records and other tools to improve government transparency. As a government watchdog and investigative journalist, Drew has forced corrupt lawmakers from office, exposed unethical and hypocritical behavior by some of the world’s most famous politicians, and fought to increase transparency from small town governments all the way to the United Nations.

Drew believes that, when it comes to government, sunlight truly is the best disinfectant. He pledges to be the most open and transparent elected official in America – and will force other members of Congress to follow his lead.

Social Security

Drew will stand up for America’s seniors and ensure they receive the Social Security benefits they worked for their whole lives, while making the program solvent for future generations.

Energy

America’s electric and fuel prices are soaring because our leaders have turned their backs on abundant, cleaner-burning natural gas in favor of unreliable, heavily subsidized, and unbelievably expensive green energy options. Environmentally friendly energy sources have their place, but not at the expense of dramatically increasing the cost of living for lower-income Americans.

Immigration

It is crucial that we secure our southern border to stop the flow of violent cartels, human traffickers, and deadly Fentanyl into our communities, while making it easier to welcome immigrants willing to come into the country legally to live their American Dream.

Public Safety

Everyone deserves to feel safe and protected. Defunding the police is simply not the solution to maintaining the accountable, responsible, and effective police department our community demands.

Drew is unwavering in his support of law enforcement, fire and rescue, paramedics, corrections, and the military, and will ensure that resources needed by our First Responders are not diverted to less vital programs.

Education

Drew is a tireless defender of parental choice and competition in education, as well as an ardent believer that the best teachers should be paid like the highly skilled professionals they are.

He believes a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching our children has failed, leaving the Clark County School District among the worst-performing school districts in America. While Congress is limited in its ability to directly improve the options available to the county’s teachers, parents and students, Drew will be a powerful voice in the fight to improve education through choice and accountability.

Housing & Land Use

The lack of affordable housing is one of the most serious issues facing Southern Nevada. While housing prices are up across the United States, Clark County’s lack of housing supply is unique. The federal government owns or controls 89% of all land in Clark County. As a result, new construction is extremely limited, meaning supply has no way of keeping up with demand. The result is skyrocketing home prices, a huge increase in the homeless population, and home ownership becoming an impossible dream for too many young, minority, and lower-income residents.

While some federal land is slowly being made available for development, Drew will encourage the Bureau of Land Management to release more property to private hands, while continuing to protect land designated for natural resource conservation and recreation. This will put homes within reach for Southern Nevada’s residents.

Small Business

As a small business owner who has dealt with the realities of making payroll and finding quality employees, Drew understands what it means to work hard and make tough decisions.

Drew will work tirelessly to streamline regulations and reduce the hassle of government so it’s easier for small business owners to accomplish their dreams.

Decency & Unity

The biggest challenge facing America today are the rifts created by our politicians, media, and special interests to divide us based on class, race, political party, religion, gender, and any other distinct characteristics we may have.

As a member of Congress, Drew will work to unite our communities and safeguard those who are vulnerable. In these divisive times, we must elect people willing to heal wounds, celebrate our differences without dividing us, and govern without abusing power.

[3]

—Drew Johnson’s campaign website (2024)[4]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a well-known government waste expert and national columnist. As a taxpayer advocate and budget watchdog, I have exposed hundreds of billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayers’ money at all levels of government that has led directly to reduced spending and lower taxes.

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?

Proven conservative record as a government watchdog, saving taxpayers millions, while assuring government operates transparently.Committed to making Clark County a safe place to live, work, and visit by supporting law enforcement and demanding accountability.Reduce taxes, fees, and red tape burdening job creators and suffocating small businesses.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Growing up, my mother worked two jobs to make sure my sister and I never went without. Watching her commitment to remain free from government handouts and strive to create a better life for us is one of the reasons I became interested in helping people through public policy. I ultimately went to school for public policy and now work at public policy think tanks.

Once I began my career, I became passionate about exposing corruption and wasteful spending, reducing taxes and fees, and increasing government transparency and accountability. I get a thrill out of standing up for citizens and preventing lawmakers from abusing their power. As a result, tax and budget policy, along with issues related to regulations and transparency are most exciting to me.

I’m excited by the possibility of using my position as a County Commissioner to directly reduce the burden of government on its citizens and hold government accountable.