News

Polk County commissioner announces run for state House

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 24, 2019

Jake Johnson, the 24- year-old chairman of the Polk County Board of Commissioners, on Wednesday became the first Republican to formally announce his candidacy for the state House District 113 seat next year. 

I am beyond blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who have been nothing but supportive as I make the decision about my political future. After a lot of prayer and deliberation with those close to me, I have decided to announce my candidacy for State House District 113.

I am from the small town of Saluda in Western North Carolina, where I grew up on a farm, and learned first hand the conservative values that make North Carolina the greatest state in our nation. After being the first one in my family to go to college, I came back home to serve the community that had made me who I am. At age 22, I was sworn in as one of the youngest elected officials in North Carolina history, being elected to the Polk County Board of Commissioners. After a year of being on the board, I was honored and humbled that my colleagues would appoint me to be Chairman. For the next year, our board would go on to oversee a list of accomplishments that include: taking the County unemployment rate to the lowest it has been in modern history, working with the school board to create a school system that would become number one in the state, pay increases for County employees, the construction of a new Law Enforcement Facility, and hosting the largest sporting event in the United States last year. This event brought millions in economic impact to North Carolina. We were able to do all of these things without raising the tax rate.

I am a principled conservative who has a vision for western North Carolina and for what I would like to see done in Raleigh. If I am blessed enough to be your representative, I will stand up for your second amendment rights guaranteed to you by the constitution. I will fight for the lives of unborn and the born, protecting the sanctity of life. I will put an emphasis on not only economic development, but education and workforce development as well; making sure all of our students have the tools they need to succeed no matter what path they choose. I will do this by encouraging all paths of education, whether that’s a four year university, a community college, or one of our state’s great trade schools.

I am proud of where I come from and my record of service. I will continue to stand for the conservative values I hold dear. I ask everyone for their prayers and support as I begin this campaign, and I encourage everyone to visit our website to learn more at​ jakefornc.com​.