Jarvis Johnson

Johnson obtained a bachelor's degree in speech communication from Texas Southern University. After graduating, he worked as a regional director with the National DARE Plus Program, a group encouraging students to stay in school. As of the 2026 election, Johnson was a business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Houston is my home. I graduated from Wheatley High School and earned my degree from Texas Southern University. My commitment to public service began early, inspired by my mother, Cleo Johnson, who spent her career working for Congressman Mickey Leland. Watching her serve our community with integrity and purpose taught me the value of perseverance and responsibility, and it shaped my own path.

Before holding elected office, I worked closely with community organizations and local leaders to address the needs of working families. In 2003, I was elected to Houston City Council, representing Acres Homes and surrounding neighborhoods. There, I fought for stronger city services and safer, more resilient communities. In 2016, I was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where I helped secure billions of dollars for public education, invested in infrastructure and disaster recovery, and advanced policies that protect workers and strengthen families.

Throughout my career, I have remained grounded in the community that raised me. I have served on key committees, building expertise in budgeting and policy while balancing local needs with statewide systems. My leadership has been defined by public safety, infrastructure investment, fiscal responsibility, and equity. I put people before politics.

I am running for Congress in District 29 to continue delivering results, bringing resources home, and providing steady, effective leadership rooted

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 proven voice for working families:

I am running to be a strong, reliable voice for working families. Growing up in Acres Homes showed me what it means to balance jobs, education, healthcare, and rising costs just to get by. That experience drives every decision I make. I have spent my career fighting for policies that strengthen public schools, expand healthcare access, protect Social Security and Medicare, and create real economic opportunity. Government should work for people, not special interests, and I deliver results that improve everyday lives.Experience that delivers results, not rhetoric:

I don’t just talk about change, I make it happen. From Houston City Council to the Texas House, I have helped secure billions in funding for public education, infrastructure, and disaster recovery. Experience matters because it allows leaders to navigate government effectively and bring resources home. I understand how policy impacts families, workers, and local economies, and I bring steady, solutions-focused leadership that delivers real results.Protecting rights and building inclusive opportunity:

Protecting civil rights and inclusive representation is central to my campaign. I have consistently defended voting rights, civil liberties, and equal opportunity so every Texan has a fair shot at success. When people feel secure, heard, and valued, communities are stronger and economies grow. My leadership is people-centered, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that equity and opportunity are essential to a stable, thriving future for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am deeply passionate about public education and equitable, long-term school funding. For too long, the state has failed to pay its fair share, forcing schools to rely on short-term fixes instead of stable funding they can plan around. That failure hurts students, teachers, and entire communities. Education is the backbone of opportunity, and every child deserves a fully supported classroom, regardless of zip code. I fight for sustainable funding, accountability, and policies that put educators and students first, especially in historically underfunded communities like the one that raised me.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Houston Black American Democrats

Campaign websiteJohnson's campaign website stated the following:BusinessJarvis Johnson believes that strong communities are built on strong local economies. As a former small business owner and state representative, he knows firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face—from accessing capital to navigating bureaucracy. In Congress, he will fight to expand small business funding, support workforce development, and bring federal investments directly into neighborhoods that have long been overlooked. Johnson will convene local leaders and business owners across the 29th District to build a coordinated economic strategy that uplifts working families, creates jobs, and keeps wealth circulating in our communities—not siphoned off by corporate special interests.EducationEducation is the cornerstone of opportunity, and Jarvis Johnson has always stood up for students, teachers, and parents. He will fight for full funding of public education, teacher pay raises, and equitable access to early childhood programs and college readiness resources. Johnson believes every child—no matter their ZIP code—deserves access to quality education and modern learning environments. In Washington, he’ll work to secure federal grants that improve school infrastructure, support STEM programs, and expand vocational and technical training so that every student in the 29th District has a pathway to success.HealthcareHealthcare is not a privilege—it’s a fundamental right. Jarvis Johnson will fight to protect and strengthen Medicaid and Medicare, expand access to affordable care, and lower prescription drug costs. He has seen too many families in the district struggle to afford doctor visits or medication, and he knows the human cost of political games that put profits over people. Johnson will push back against Republican efforts to gut healthcare programs and ensure that federal resources are directed to community clinics and hospitals that serve our most vulnerable residents. His mission is simple: quality, affordable healthcare for every Texan.HousingSafe, affordable housing is the foundation of stability and dignity. Jarvis Johnson understands that too many families are being priced out of their own neighborhoods while developers and corporate landlords drive up costs. He will work to expand affordable housing programs, protect tenants’ rights, and increase federal funding for homeownership initiatives that help families build generational wealth. Johnson’s plan includes bringing together city, county, and federal partners quarterly to coordinate housing strategies, ensuring that resources reach the neighborhoods that need them most—not just those that are politically convenient.InfrastructureInfrastructure is about more than roads and bridges—it’s about connection, safety, and progress. Jarvis Johnson will fight to modernize transportation, strengthen flood control systems, and ensure that every community has access to clean water, reliable utilities, and broadband internet. He knows that federal infrastructure dollars often get lost in bureaucracy before they reach the people, so he will work collaboratively with local officials to make sure the 29th District gets its fair share. Whether it’s rebuilding after floods or investing in green energy, Johnson’s goal is a future-ready district built on equity, sustainability, and resilience.— Jarvis Johnson's campaign website (November 19, 2025)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Jarvis Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

Special election

Jarvis Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Regular election

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased October 17, 2023

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A Native of Houston, Texas, and small business owner, Jarvis Johnson has been a steadfast leader for Houston since 2005. First elected to serve District 139 in

the Texas House of Representatives in 2016. Among Johnson’s many legislative achievements include re-establishing vocational education in our public schools,

authorizing the Houston Land Bank in Texas Statute, expanding their ability to provide affordable housing, and expanding legal representation for foster youth, to name just a few. Jarvis is the proud father of two children, Nalyah and Jarvis II.

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?

Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, this is unacceptable and we can do something about it. Texas is leaving billions of federal dollars on the table by not expanding Medicaid. This is the fastest and best solution to get millions of more Texans healthcare.

Reproductive healthcare has been stripped away in Texas. Leaving many with no options, even when facing fatal medical conditions. I will continue to fight for expanded healthcare coverage, including fighting for a woman’s right to choose, and everyone’s access to reproductive healthcare.Unfortunately, we’ve seen poor flooding infrastructure during once-in-a-lifetime weather events that seem to be happening yearly. State leaders have politized flooding mitigation. There are still homes across Houston that are still inhabitable from Hurricane Harvey, this is egregious. We have to fund more flooding projects so our homes- most families' largest investment- can be protected during the ever-occurring once in a lifetime natural disasters. Climate change is real and we must be prepared for the future and the unpredictable weather.

Public education is the foundation of our society, and it’s under attack from Republicans. From book banning, rewriting history, underpaying our teachers, and trying to defund our schools, SD 15 needs a fighter to stand up and fight for our communities. We must protect public education from voucher schemes and work to ensure all children receive an excellent education regardless of their zip code.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about the issues impacting the lives of the constituents of this District. Everyday Texans are worried about paying their sky-rocking property tax bill and homeowners insurance. Putting groceries on the table and ensuring their kids are getting the best education possible. Our State government has become too focused on culture wars, and less focused on the real issues Texans are facing. Republicans are attacking our most marginalized communities, while overlooking the real problems they face. We have got to get back to governing, and solving problems NOT creating them.

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

I've looked up to my mother my entire life. As a young child, she worked for the Late Congressman Mickey Leland. I spent my days helping her serve the community, where I learned first hand the power we have when a community comes together. Even now, someone recently asked me what endorsement I was the most proud of, and I said my Mother's. She has worked hard her entire life to give back to her community, and if I go to bed at night knowing I made her proud, then I can feel accomplished.

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

State Senator is charged with proposing laws and constitutional amendments. We not only propose our own bills and work to get them passed into law, we work on specific committees that have jurisdiction over policy areas and state agencies.

But most importantly, a core responsibility of this office is to serve the people of the district. This means, bringing back information for them on how their State Government is working FOR them, or maybe how it's harming their community. It's having an open door to your constituents and working every day to improve their lives.

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

State Senators represent close to a million constituents. I think it is an asset to have a State Senator who has previous experience working in the State Legislature. Being an effective legislator isn’t about having the best campaign platform, it’s about having relationships, experience and knowledge on how to pass and kill legislation. Since 2016, I’ve been serving in the Texas House of Representatives, where I’ve built relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle, and have passed dozens of bills and killed hundreds. My experience will ensure I can hit the ground running on day 1 if elected.

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

No, I'm interested in serving the constituents of Senate District 15!

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Houston Black American Democrats

100% Rating from Planned Parenthood Texas Votes

UNIONS

Seafarers International Union

Plumbers Local 68

Houston Professional Fire Fighters' Association

Houston Police Officers Union

African American Police Officers League

Houston Police Retired Officers Association

Communications Workers of America Local 6222

Texas State Employees Union CWA-6186

Transportation Workers Union-Local 620

IBEW 716

STATE LEADERS

State Senator Borris Miles, Senate District 13

State Representative Senfronia Thompson, House District 141

State Representative Alma Allen, House District 131

State Representative Gene Wu, House District 137

State Representative Hubert Vo, House District 149

What committees interest you?

The Senate Finance Committee interests me, it's a little known fact that the only bill the legislature is constituently bound to pass is the State Budget. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I've seen firsthand how influential the State Budget can be in securing funding for projects in your District. As State Rep, I secure over $1 Million for public schools in my district, and billions in flooding prevention projects. I'd like to bring that knowledge and experience to the Senate Finance Committee.

Jarvis Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Jarvis Johnson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.