Office sought: Prosecutor, Jackson County, Missouri
Primary election date: 8/6/2024
General election: 11/5/2024

The Krimson PAC Interview: Melesa Johnson

Why we’re endorsing

• Raised and resides in Jackson County, Missouri
• Deeply personal passion for a safer community
• University of Missouri School of Law, J.D., Columbia University, B.A. Political Science with pre-law specialization
• Kansas City, MO director of Public Safety

Candidate’s platform

• “I stand with the seniors who have owned their homes for decades, but are now afraid to go outside. I stand with the matriarchs and patriarchs doing everything in their power to keep their loved ones on a productive path.”
• Justice that is responsive to victims’ losses and also encourages rehabilitation
• Create a safer, more just, and equitable county for all, and pathways to brighter futures

Office sought: Kentucky House District 42
General election: May 21, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Passionate about lifelong learning; earned a Master’s in Business Administration, specializing in Public Administration to explore the intersection of government, community, and business.
• Nearly a decade in local government, serving in real estate, community development, project management, and performance improvement roles
• Believes in dynamic, efficient government

Candidate’s platform

• Participatory economic growth
• Enhanced community safety and health
• Educational excellence
• Support for veterans and seniors
• Authentic, transparent, solution-focused leadership

Office sought: City Council, Place 8 At-Large, Grand Prairie, Texas
General election: May 4, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Incumbent Grand Prairie City Council member representing the entire city of Grand Prairie as an at-large member.
• Born in Onitsha, Nigeria, life-long resident of Texas; graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science from University of Texas at Arlington
• During college, served as a substitute teacher/tutor and educated students throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Area.
• Currently works as a political consultant helping to elect thoughtful leaders to state and local offices across the U.S.

Candidate’s platform

• Expand Via GP
• Reduce property taxes.
• Infrastructure improvements
• Unity in our community
• Environmental sustainability

Office sought: Metro Council, District 22, Louisville, KY
Primary election date: May 27, 2024 (Democrat, unopposed)
General election: November 5, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Bachelor of Science degree from University of Louisville, Master of Business Administration degree from Florida Institute of Technology, and Doctorate of Business Administration from Trident University International, equipping him with the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex issues facing our city.
• Proven track record managing annual budgets in excess of $50 million; currently leads the account management team at Humana/CenterWell Pharmacy, where he demonstrates effective leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to community betterment.
• Deeply committed to community service, actively involved in many local initiatives, reflects a genuine passion for improving the lives of our residents and community.

Candidate’s platform

• Educational enhancements, public safety reinforcement, and sustainable development
• Representing the voice of the community, eradicating fiscal irresponsibility, and ensuring government transparency.
• Working toward a future where our community thrives, with infrastructure revitalization, promotion of health and wellness, and fostering an inclusive and sustainable city that prioritizes the wellbeing of all residents..

Office sought: State Representative, District 146, Houston, TX
Election date: November 5, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• “We must regain our seat at the table in state government. Our current representative has lost her way and now votes to take away our rights, destroy our public schools, and hurt our kids.”
• “The Black women in low-income apartments where I lived taught me how to survive – how to stretch every penny. I owe them a debt. That’s why I do what I do.”
• “Strong communities are powerful, and the love, generosity and wisdom of others can lift us up. For these reasons and so many more, I hope to earn the votes and the privilege of being a progressive voice and a fierce advocate in the state legislature. Thank you.”

Candidate’s platform

• A world-class public education for every Texas child.
• Universal access to quality, affordable health care and mental health care.
• Economic security and justice for all working people.
• Voting rights, gun safety, racial justice, climate action, immigration reform, and so much more.

Office sought: Commission District 2, Douglas County, Georgia
Election date: November 5, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Attorney and passionate advocate for her community through social justice activism and dedicated legal representation.
• Continues to build and further develop a positive and supportive community for all residents of Douglas County.
• Special focus on ensuring appropriate care, treatment, and rehabilitation for youth in the court system, while recognizing the disparate impact to minorities navigating the juvenile legal system.

Candidate’s platform

• Economic Development: Aims to make our District 2 an attractive destination for businesses, fostering entrepreneurship and job opportunities, ultimately boosting economic prosperity for everyone.
• Workforce Support: Create pathways for skill development, job training, and employment placement; empowering individuals with the tools and resources to build successful careers and contribute to the community’s economic vitality.
• Healthy Community: Leverage the natural beauty of the county’s parks and trails to foster a culture of physical activity and well-being, and a community that thrives physically and socially.

Office sought: Independent School District Board of Trustees, Place 7, Frisco, TX 
Election date: May 4, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Organized the first African-American group-led candidates’ forum in the City of Frisco, convening a diverse group of candidates for Mayor, City Council, and FISD Trustee to discuss their positions and impacts on the African American community.
• Partnered with a local sorority to raise funds and toys for a local Boys and Girls Club in Frisco with a high percent of minority members that may not receive the same support as other area clubs.
• Have personally donated to minority candidates running for office to offset the financial burden they often face when running for public office.

Candidate’s platform

• We must work to have the Texas State Legislature properly and fully fund public education with $4 billion from the $32.7 billion rainy day fund.
• Focus on maintaining and improving the exceptional school performance levels we have achieved in FISD.
• Continue to work with our City Council and local law enforcement to ensure a safe school environment and open lines of communication with parents and student.

Office sought: Ward 7 Councilmember, Washington D.C.
Election date: June 4, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Ward 7 native, attorney, organizer, coalition builder.
• Long-time Ward 7 organizer who has spent her career fighting for her local community as a member of the community, a small business owner and as a commissioner.
• Passionate about building her community and creating a more just environment for its residents.

Candidate’s platform

• Smart approach to public safety, not just about policing.
• Bringing prosperity to Ward 7 through equitable economic development.
• Helping the community through emphasis on affordable housing.
• Addressing child development through education that creates life-long learners.
• Establishing constituent services.

Office sought: Georgia House District 66

Why we’re endorsing

• Community advocate, diverse business background, state representative for Georgia District 66.
• Has a seat on the committees for Code Revision, Intragovernmental Coordination, Motor Vehicles, Banks and Banking, and Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment.
• Political experience and financial know-how to implement change in her community at the state level.

Sponsored bills

• HB 7: The Child Safety Emergency Preparedness Act which reauthorized the child care development fund.
• HR 1093: Sponsoring a study tasked with finding housing remedies for mentally ill people in Georgia.
• HB 824 and HB 669: Expanding paid sick leave and the Affordable Care Act.

Office sought: U.S. Congress, New York

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Ohio
Election date: November 5, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• First Black candidate elected to Ohio’s 13th district, born and raised in Akron, Ohio, fighting for more equitable conditions in her community.
• Has seats on the committees for Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology.
• Member of the community with the educational background and experience to make change.

Candidate’s platform

• All American families should have access to affordable, quality healthcare.
• Committed to creating an economy where everyone can prosper with well paying jobs.
• Access to quality public education for each student, regardless of their ZIP code, ability, or special needs.

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Mississippi

Office sought: U.S. HD, At-large, Virgin Islands

Why we’re endorsing

• Incumbent at-large representative of the Virgin Islands, dedicated mother
• Educated in the fields of foreign relations and legal principles
• Proven ability as highly effective agent of social change
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Candidate’s experience

• Ranking member of House Intelligence Committee
• One of nine impeachment managers to prosecute former president Donald Trump
• Served on powerful House Ways and Means Committee

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Georgia
Election date: November 5, 2024

Why we’re endorsing

• Public service through representing middle and southwest Georgia.
• Consensus builder demonstrating leadership in Congress.
• Resident of Albany, Georgia, invested in the community.
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Candidate’s platform

• Strong desire to create jobs and help unemployed workers.
• Works tirelessly to ensure nation’s schools and universities are affordable and accessible.
• Wants to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to physicians.

Office sought: Chair, Douglas Co. Commission, GA

Why we’re endorsing

• Business owner and entrepreneur, cofounder of Angels N Tech/Angels N Me Foundation helping young girls in STEAM
• Sponsored Douglas County’s first MBE to help disadvantaged businesses
• Active in community, volunteering in her church and participating in social organizations

Candidate’s platform

• Desire to ensure the safety of Douglas County, Georgia
• Passion for honest leadership in local government
• Advocate for government transparency and responsibility

Office sought: GA House District 62

Why we’re endorsing

• Experienced in public safety through career as prosecutor
• Civil rights attorney who brought justice in cases of police abuse and misconduct
• Broad community support with organizations like AFL-CIO

Candidate’s platform

• Community-centered public safety and criminal justice reform
• Affordable and accessible healthcare
• Defense and expansion of voting rights

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Georgia

Why we’re endorsing

• Tireless advocate for gun safety reform, experienced activist
• Interested in providing educational assistance to graduating students attending technical schools
• Congressional experience passing reforms like universal background checks and red flag laws

Candidate’s platform

• Supports community access to services like planned parenthood and contraceptive
• Wants to fund projects improving the infrastructure of the nation and her state of Georgia
• Is firmly interested in lowering student debt, and making higher education more affordable

Office sought: GA Senate, District 9

Office sought: U.S. Congress, OH

Why we’re endorsing

• Experienced coalition builder and Cleveland native looking to serve Ohio’s 11th Congressional district
• First woman and black person to serve as Chairwoman of the Cuyahoga Democratic Party
• Helped pass legislation that brought economic relief to Americans

Candidate’s platform

• Combatting gun violence through policies like universal background checks and manufacturer accountability
• Working to pass high quality public option for healthcare, driving down its costs and expanding its accessibility
• Fighting poverty through child care tax credits and increasing the minimum wage

Office sought: GA House District 63

Why we’re endorsing

• Passionate about issues of access to quality healthcare
• Extensive experience in health information infrastructure
• Desire to address issues of affordable housing and education

Candidate’s platform

• Introduced legislation encouraging physicians to work in underserved areas
• Advocate for Medicaid expansion
• Passed homestead exemptions for senior citizens

Office sought: GA House District 39

Why we’re endorsing

• Retired federal law enforcement officer with 30-year career in criminal justice
• Member of Black Law Association and member of Ethics Law Journal
• Balanced temperament with ability to think outside the box

Candidate’s platform

• Protecting voting rights as a fundamental part of our democracy
• Expanding Medicaid in Georgia with the belief that healthcare is a right, not a privilege
• Ensuring a quality education where each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential

Office sought: House District 17, Indiana

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Louisiana

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Nevada

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Georgia

Office sought: U.S. Congress, MD

Office sought: State Senate District 33, Colorado

Office sought: U.S. Congress, Virginia

Office sought: At-Large Member, City Council, Washington DC

Office sought: Attorney General, Pennsylvania

Why we’re endorsing

• Raised in a proud union household, first in her family to graduate college
• In law school, dedicated herself to fighting for change
• Appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Chief Defender for Montgomery County
• Led the state’s largest public defender’s association in Philadelphia, transforming the office, overseeing a staff of 500, and managing a budget of $50 million

Candidate’s platform

• Advocate for strong consumers’ rights, work to ensure that consumers are treated fairly, with access to resources to help them make informed decisions
• Ensure that our laws are applied fairly, equitably, and with the diverse perspectives and needs of all Pennsylvanians in mind
• Take on powerful special interests, from corporate polluters, opioid manufacturers, to predatory lenders, fighting for fairness, opportunity and justice.

Office sought: For U.S. Senate, Delaware

Office sought: U.S. Senate, Maryland

Office sought: U.S. Senate, Michigan

Office sought: State House District 100, Oklahoma
Election date: 6/18/2024