Jermaine Johnson Sr. (born July 4, 1985) is an American politician, political advisor and former professional basketball player. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the representative for South Carolina's 70th district. Johnson previously represented the 80th district in the South Carolina House of Representatives prior to redistricting.[1][2]
Jermaine Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office December 4, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jimmy Bales |
| Constituency | 80th district (2020–2022) 70th district (2022–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1985 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | College of Charleston (BA) Strayer University (MSM) Northcentral University (DBA) |
| Basketball career | |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | The Winchendon School |
| College | College of Charleston (2005–2009) |
| NBA draft | 2009: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2009–2015 |
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| Number | 5, 19 |
| Career history | |
| 2009–2010 | Reno Bighorns |
| 2010 | Libertadores de Querétaro |
| 2010 | Mineros de Fresnillo |
| 2010–2011 | Jaguares de la Bahia Riviera Nayarit |
| 2011 | Cidade dé Barreiro |
| 2011–2012 | Franca |
| 2012 | Pavos de Nuevo Casas Grandes |
| 2012 | Mineros de Fresnillo |
| 2012–2013 | Gigantes Edomex |
| 2013 | Soles de Ojinaga |
| 2013–2014 | Ottawa SkyHawks |
| 2014 | London Lightning |
| 2014–2015 | Abejas de León |
| 2015 | Soles de Ojinaga |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Early life edit
Johnson was born on July 4, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up during the crack epidemic and his family struggled with homelessness, living in and out of motels following home evictions. His father spent time in prison and his brother was in the military. Johnson's face was scarred when he was pistol-whipped as a teenager.[3]
Athletic career edit
High school and college career edit
Johnson's AAU coach helped him get into prep schools for basketball. Johnson attended seven high schools[3] while growing up including Trinity-Pawling School and Redemption Christian Academy. He eventually attended and graduated from the Winchendon School.[4][5]
In high school, Johnson received interest from the College of Charleston and Long Beach State for basketball. He committed to the College of Charleston. Three months into his redshirt freshman season, Johnson got into an altercation with his teammate Jeff Horowitz. Johnson intended to transfer to Long Beach State, but ended up staying at Charleston College.[6]
In 2008, Johnson scored the first points in the TD Arena for the Cougars.
Johnson served as Charleston's captain during his senior year. He finished his career as one of only four players in school history with at least 1,100 points and 850 rebounds.[7]
Professional career edit
D-League edit
Johnson was drafted by the Reno Bighorns in the 6th round of the NBA Development Draft. He was released from the team after one year. He trained with James Harden and Amar'e Stoudemire during summer workouts in Los Angeles.[8]
International career edit
Johnson played more than six years, professionally overseas including in France, Mexico, Hungary and Canada. He starred during his time in the Mexican Basketball League where he averaged 21 points and 8 rebounds per game.[9][10]
Political career edit
Johnson is the founder and CEO of the New Economic Beginnings Foundation, which helps educate and find employment for opportunities for troubled youth and veterans.[11][12]
Currently, Johnson serves as the 3rd Vice Chair of the Richland County Democratic party, Richland County Recreation Commissioner, Vice Chair of the Young Democrats of the Central Midlands and Minority Caucus Chair of the Young Democrats of South Carolina.[13][14]
Johnson served as the South Carolina Campaign Chair for Andrew Yang's 2020 presidential campaign.[15]
South Carolina House of Representatives edit
In 2020, Johnson announced he would challenge Democratic incumbent Jimmy Bales for his seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Johnson centered his campaign around universal basic income, community investment, economic investment, district enhancement and access and accountability. He earned endorsements from former 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former South Carolina State Representative and current CNN political analyst Bakari Sellers and current South Carolina State Representative JA Moore. In June 2020, Johnson defeated Bales in the Democratic Primary and became the Democratic nominee.[16]
After redistricting following the 2020 United States census, Johnson's district was merged into House District 70. This forced Johnson to run in a contested primary against fellow-representative Wendy Brawley. In the primary, Johnson garnered 50.11% person of the vote to defeat Brawley by 115 votes.[17]
Johnson currently serves on the House Education and Public Works Committee.[18] He is Secretary of the House Minority Caucus.[19]
Electoral history edit
2020 South Carolina House of Representatives edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jermaine Johnson | 3,573 | 75.6 | |
| Democratic | Jimmy Bales (incumbent) | 1,156 | 24.4 | |
| Total votes | 4,729 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jermaine Johnson | 10,742 | 59.6 | |
| Republican | Vincent Wilson | 7,268 | 40.3 | |
| Total votes | 18,010 | 100.0 | ||
2022 South Carolina House of Representatives edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jermaine Johnson (incumbent) | 2,495 | 50.1 | |
| Democratic | Wendy Brawley (incumbent) | 2,380 | 47.8 | |
| Democratic | Bridgette Jones Larry | 104 | 2.1 | |
| Total votes | 5,046 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jermaine Johnson | 10,046 | 76.4 | |
| Republican | Vincent Wilson | 2,623 | 20.0 | |
| Green | Charla Henson-Simons | 456 | 3.5 | |
| Total votes | 13,143 | 100.0 | ||
Personal life edit
Johnson has three children. He received a Doctorate of Business Administration and Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University in 2018.
References edit
- ^ Staff Reports (June 16, 2022). ""Recount set for Richland County GOP state house primary"". WLTX-TV. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ "Live: South Carolina State Primary Election Results 2020". New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ a b Caraviello, David (November 29, 2019). "From homeless youth and turbulent CofC career, Jermaine Johnson is Andrew Yang's guy in SC". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Johnson Staying East for Trip". Rivals Basketball Recruiting. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Jermaine Johnson basketball profile". USA Basketball. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Draper, Cougars Speed Past Seahawks, 91–70". University of North Carolina Wilmington. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "CofC Men's Basketball BIO". College of Charleston. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Former CofC Standout Jermaine Johnson Selected in NBA D-League Draft". College of Charleston. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "SKYHAWKS SIGN JERMAINE JOHNSON". Interperformances. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "JERMAINE JOHNSON". ESPN. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "New Economic Beginnings For Youth And Veterans". WLTX. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Jermaine Johnson, E.D." New Economic Beginnings. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Our Team". Richland South Carolina Friends. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Board of Commissioners". Richland South Carolina Recreation. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Dr. Jermaine Johnson, former head of Yang 2020 South Carolina office, is back in the Nerd Zone!". Nerds For Yang. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Democrat Jermaine Johnson to challenge for state House seat currently held by Jimmy Bales". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "In showdown between 2 sitting SC House members, Johnson narrowly wins District 70 race". The State. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
- ^ "House Standing Committees". South Carolina Legislature. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ "Our Leadership". South Carolina House Democratic Caucus. 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.