Jake Johnson (politician)

Jake Johnson
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 113th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 2, 2019
Preceded byCody Henson
Member of the
Polk County Board of Commissioners
In office
December 5, 2016 – August 2, 2019
Personal details
Born (1994-05-15) May 15, 1994 (age 31)
Saluda, North Carolina
PartyRepublican
EducationUniversity of North Carolina, Charlotte (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website
Campaign website

Jake Hunter Johnson is a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives who has represented the 113th district (covering all or parts of Polk, Henderson, McDowell, and Rutherford counties) since 2019.[1]

Early life and education

Johnson was born and raised on a farm in Saluda, a small town in Polk County. He was the first member of his family to attend college. Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a minor in economics.[2][3]

Early political career

Johnson became involved in politics during his college years.[2] At the age of 22, he was elected to the Polk County Board of Commissioners in 2016, becoming one of the youngest elected officials in North Carolina at the time.[4] After initially serving as the board's vice chairman, he was appointed chairman in December 2017.[5]

During his tenure, the board oversaw initiatives that included reductions in the county unemployment rate, pay increases for county employees, construction of a new law enforcement facility, and economic development efforts connected to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games held at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring.[2]

Prior to his appointment to the House in 2019, Johnson was reported to be considering a run for Secretary of State in 2020.[6]

North Carolina House of Representatives

Johnson was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives in August 2019 to fill the unexpired term of Cody Henson in the 113th district.[7] He was elected to his first full term in 2020 and was subsequently re-elected in 2022 and 2024.[8][9][10]

In 2023, Johnson was appointed House Deputy Majority Whip.[11]

In October 2025, former House Majority Leader Mike Hager announced his intention to challenge Johnson in the Republican primary for the seat in 2026.[12] Johnson defeated Hager in the 2026 primary with over 60 percent of the vote.[13]

Professional career

Johnson works as a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Hendersonville, North Carolina.[2]

Personal life

Johnson resides in Polk County, North Carolina.[2] He enjoys outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing, and spends time with his family and his dog, Scout.[2] He is a member of Silver Creek Baptist Church in Mill Spring, North Carolina.[2]

Electoral history

2024

North Carolina House of Representatives 113th district general election, 2024[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Johnson (incumbent) 34,467 66.68%
Democratic Michelle Antalec 17,223 33.32%
Total votes 51,690 100%
Republican hold

2022

North Carolina House of Representatives 113th district general election, 2022[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Johnson (incumbent) 27,267 100%
Total votes 27,267 100%
Republican hold
North Carolina House of Representatives 113th district primary election, 2022[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Johnson (incumbent) 7,585 65.08%
Republican David Rogers (incumbent) 4,069 34.92%
Total votes 11,654 100%

2020

North Carolina House of Representatives 113th district general election, 2020[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Johnson (incumbent) 30,367 59.59%
Democratic Sam Edney 20,596 40.41%
Total votes 50,963 100%
Republican hold

2016

Polk County Board of Commissioners general election, 2016[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Johnson 6,370 22.19%
Republican Myron L. Yoder 5,913 20.60%
Republican Tommy W. Melton 5,569 19.40%
Democratic Penny Padgett 3,868 13.47%
Democratic Rhonda Lewis 3,726 12.98%
Democratic Russell A. Mierop 3,261 11.36%
Total votes 28,707 100%
Polk County Board of Commissioners primary election, 2016[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Johnson 2,032 26.17%
Republican Tommy W. Melton 1,778 22.89%
Republican Myron L. Yoder 1,590 20.47%
Republican John Dennis Hill 1,221 15.72%
Republican Josh Denton 1,145 14.74%
Total votes 7,766 100%

2014

Polk County Board of Commissioners primary election, 2014[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Keith Holbert 787 27.24%
Republican Shane Bradley 740 25.61%
Republican Teddy (Ted) Owens 731 25.30%
Republican Jake Johnson 631 21.84%
Total votes 11,654 100%

Committee assignments

2025-2026 session

Standing or Select Committees:[21]

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations, Capital and Information Technology (Chair)
  • Commerce and Economic Development (Vice Chair)
  • Education - K-12
  • Helene Recovery (Vice Chair)
  • Oversight and Reform (Chair)
  • Oversight (Chair)
  • Wildlife Resources

2023-2024 session

Standing or Select Committees:[22]

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations - Information Technology (Chair)
  • Banking
  • Commerce (Vice Chair)
  • Education - K-12
  • Oversight and Reform (Chair)
  • Wildlife Resources

2021-2022 session

Standing or Select Committees:

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations - Information Technology (Chair)
  • Commerce (Vice Chair)
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs
  • Regulatory Reform
  • UNC BOG Nominations

References

  1. ^ "Representative Jake Johnson - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "About – Jake Johnson for NC 113". Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  3. ^ "Jake Johnson '16". Alumni Association. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  4. ^ Insco, Jerrika (2016-12-06). "Youngest Polk County commissioner sworn in". WLOS. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  5. ^ Justice, Leah (2017-12-05). "Johnson takes over as county commission chairman". The Tryon Daily Bulletin. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  6. ^ "Republicans circling if Henson resigns from House - Hendersonville Lightning". www.hendersonvillelightning.com. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  7. ^ Times, Special to the Citizen. "Jake Johnson appointed to state House seat vacated by Cody Henson". The Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  8. ^ "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  9. ^ "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  10. ^ "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  11. ^ article, Submitted (2023-01-04). "Polk County native Rep. Jake Johnson appointed to leadership position in N.C. House". The Tryon Daily Bulletin. Retrieved 2025-12-24. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ Dance, Annie (2025-10-17). "Exclusive: Mike Hager Enters Republican Primary Against Incumbent State Rep. Jake Johnson". WCAB News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  13. ^ Bonner, Lynn (March 4, 2026). "Veteran Democrat Carla Cunningham suffers huge loss in Charlotte primary". NC Newsline. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  14. ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  15. ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  16. ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  17. ^ [4] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  18. ^ [5] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  19. ^ [6] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  20. ^ [7] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  21. ^ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  22. ^ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Johnson_(politician)