Elizabeth “Liz” Johnson of Statesboro has qualified to run for Georgia’s 12th Congressional District on the Democratic ticket.
The active community volunteer said she is running because everyone deserves the freedom, security, and opportunity to pursue the American Dream.
“I am running for families like my own,” Johnson said, “hard-working men and women who want to support their families, own a home, access affordable, quality healthcare and education, and enjoy a secure retirement.”
Since announcing her candidacy last October, Johnson has travelled throughout the 12th District, speaking with constituents about critical issues like raising the minimum wage, and ensuring quality, affordable healthcare for everyone.
Johnson said she understands how local families are struggling, and Americans need a system that gives everyone a fair chance. Her emphasis on support for criminal justice reforms, affordable healthcare, and lowering the costs of educational opportunities for working families demonstrate her core values and her main goals for the 12th district.
“At the end of the day, we all want the same things in life: to earn a living wage, to be safe in our homes and our communities, and to take care of our loved ones,” she said. “How do we do that? Together. It’s when we come together, and plan together, and work together that we can create the community we want to live in.”
Liz was raised by her grandmother who instilled in her the importance of education and hard work. Her family had immediate need of financial support, so she went to work at a very young age and has been working ever since. In 1995, Liz moved to Bulloch County with the youngest of her four children.
Over the years, Liz has dedicated her time and talents to many worthy causes including CASA, the Statesboro Regional Library Board, Habitat for Humanity, the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center advisory committee, the Statesboro Noon Lions Club, the Coalition for Minority Education, and the Marvin Pittman PTO. She has served as grand marshal of the Bulloch County Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, and was presented with the Bulloch County NAACP President’s Award.
She’s been an active member of the Democratic Party of Georgia for more than 20 years, serving numerous times in county, state and national positions. In 2014, she ran for state Commissioner of Insurance on the Democratic ticket, becoming one of few women, and one of even fewer black women of color, to win a major party nomination for a statewide executive office.
For 38 years Liz worked in the insurance industry, helping thousands of families make important decisions regarding their futures. After retiring, Liz took her years of business, political, and speaking experience to launch several empowerment initiatives for women including Women Win Elections and Queendom Builders.
Liz and her husband, who is a retired law enforcement officer, have been married over 20 years and together they have seven adult children, 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dan Steiner, a retired attorney who lives in Augusta, has also announced his intentions to seek the 12th District seat on the Democratic ticket. The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Republican Rick Allen in November.