Nathan M. Johnson
Nathan Matthew Johnson is an American politician, lawyer, and composer serving as a member of the Texas Senate for the 16th district. In the 2018 [Texas Senate election|November 6, 2018, election], Johnson defeated incumbent Republican Don Huffines to become the first Democrat to represent the district in over three decades.
Early life and education
Johnson is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He received a B.S. in physics from the University of Arizona in 1990 and a J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1993. In college, he volunteered for victims of domestic violence.Legal and music career
Johnson practices business law and bankruptcy law. He co-founded a law firm specializing with business disputes, while working pro-bono for Human Rights Initiative of North Texas.In 2019, Johnson joined Thompson & Night LLP as counsel for the Dallas trial practice group. In July 2023, Johnson joined Thompson Coburn, where he practices commercial litigation in Dallas.
Johnson owned a music production company, where he composed music for the Funimation produced English dub of Dragon Ball Z.
Texas Senate
In 2018, Johnson ran for Texas State Senate in District 16. The district had been shifting to align with the Democrats and in an upset Johnson defeated incumbent incumbent Republican Don Huffines by eight percent.During the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, Paxton's attorneys made a motion to disqualify Johnson and two other senators from serving as jurors in the case, claiming they had shown bias and could not be impartial. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick dismissed this motion.
In 2024, Johnson faced a primary challenge from State Representative Victoria Neave Criado who accused him of being too moderate and not in step with the Democratic Party, specifically when it came to immigration policy. Johnson won the primary with just under 60% of the votes.
Political positions
Johnson has frequently pushed for legislation related to expanding access to medical care in the state. This includes authoring legislation to expand the definition of palliative care, decriminalize the use of fentanyl testing strips, and expand Medicaid.The Texas Tribune notes that Johnson's centrist voting record is nearly indistinguishable from most of the other Democrats in the Texas Senate according to political scientists and he has generally avoided partisan attacks from the left.
Committee assignments
Source:- 89th Legislature
- *Jurisprudence
- *Business & Commerce
- *Economic Development
- *Transportation
- *Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
- 88th Legislature
- *Jurisprudence
- *Administration
- *Business & Commerce
- *Texas Energy Fund Advisory
- *Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
- 87th Legislature
- *Administration
- *Business & Commerce
- *Jurisprudence
- *Redistricting, Special
- *Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs
- 86th Legislature
- *Administration
- *Health and Human Affairs
- *Veteran Affairs and Border Security
- *Water and Rural Affairs