On Friday, it appeared that Republican John R. Johnson had suddenly raised enough money to pay the qualifying fee to challenge District 3 County Commissioner Lumon May when Johnson showed up at the Supervisor of Elections office about 10 minutes before the close of the qualifying period.
However, when Johnson’s documents were later reviewed, it was discovered he had not completed the correct forms. The Republican Party may challenge Johnson’s disqualification.
Dig Deeper
According to Johnson’s campaign reports, he had only $427.07 in his campaign checking account. Where did he get the $5,564.28 to qualify?
- Since 2014, only two people have ever donated to any of his campaigns – Hosea Pittman $100 in 2016 and Larry Downs $500 on April 19, 2024. Update: I found another contributor: Gregory Peterson $200 in March 2023.
This would have been the first time for Johnson to run for office as a Republican.
- In 2020, he ran for the ECUA District 3 seat as an NPA and received only 618 votes (2.27%). In 2016, he did better running for the same position as an NPA, garnering 2,316 votes (9.8%).
- In 2012, Johnson, still an NPA, challenged Lumon May for the open District 3 commission seat. Johnson received 427 votes (1.74%).
- In 2008, the NPA candidate took on incumbent Commissioner Marie Young and received 1,257 votes (5.33%).
Update: I found another race that Johnson lost. In 1993, he ran for Pensacola City Council, District 7, and received only 123 votes.
He pre-filed to run for ECUA District 3 in 1996 and 1988 but dropped out without qualifying. In June 1988, the PNJ reported Johnson cited the lack of financial support.
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