Cannabis Sativa

Steven C. Johnson
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 34A district
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byGlen Glass
Personal details
Born (1960-12-30) December 30, 1960 (age 63)
Garrison, Kentucky, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
Education
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Branch/serviceArmy National Guard
Years of service1977-1987

Steven C. Johnson (born December 30, 1960) is an American politician who is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 34A.

Early life and education[edit]

Johnson was born on December 30, 1960, in Garrison, Kentucky. He attended Shady Spring High School[1] and Raleigh County Vocational Technical Center.[2] Johnson served in the Army National Guard from 1977 to 1987, and as an auxiliary police officer in Aberdeen from 2006 to 2016.[1] He also worked as a construction supervisor at Locust Point Shipyard[3] and owns the Johnson Family Pharmacy in Aberdeen.[1]

From 2005 to 2017, Johnson worked as the director of Economic Development for the city of Aberdeen, Maryland.[1] He ran for the Aberdeen City Council in 2007, but he was disqualified shortly before the general election for not living within the city limits.[4] Johnson initially challenged his disqualification, but dropped his legal challenge, saying that he didn't "want to alter the natural outcome of the election".[5] In 2014, he unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 34A.[6]

In the legislature[edit]

Johnson won election to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2018, edging out incumbent state delegate Glen Glass by a margin of 165 votes.[7] He was sworn in on January 9, 2019, and has served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee during his entire tenure. Since 2023, Johnson has served as deputy majority whip.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Johnson is married with three children.[1]

Political positions[edit]

Education[edit]

In February 2021, during debate on a bill to stagger the terms of elected Harford County school board members, Johnson supported an amendment to create a fully-elected school board in the county.[8] The amendment failed in a 4-4 tie.[9]

Gun policy[edit]

During the 2020 legislative session, Johnson voted against legislation requiring background checks for sales of shotguns and rifles.[10]

Health care[edit]

During the 2020 legislative session, Johnson introduced the "Connor's Courage" Act, named for Havre de Grace High School student Connor Sheffield, which would allow students to take medical marijuana at school. The bill passed and became law.[11]

Minimum wage[edit]

During the 2019 legislative session, Johnson voted for legislation to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour.[12]

Social issues[edit]

During the 2020 legislative session, Johnson introduced legislation that would protect lemonade stands from being shut down by local permit laws.[13]

Taxes[edit]

During the 2022 legislative session, Johnson opposed an amendment to legislation to enact a 30-day gas tax holiday amid the Russo-Ukrainian War that would've extended the holiday to 90 days.[14] He also introduced legislation that would exempt oral hygiene products from the state sales tax, which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[15][16]

Electoral history[edit]

Maryland House of Delegates District 34A Democratic primary election, 2014[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Ann Lisanti 2,473 29.0
Democratic Marla Posey-Moss 1,895 22.2
Democratic Pat Murray 1,784 20.9
Democratic Steve Johnson 1,574 18.4
Democratic Maria Terry 812 9.5
Maryland House of Delegates District 34A Democratic primary election, 2018[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Ann Lisanti (incumbent) 3,794 46.8
Democratic Steve Johnson 2,190 27.0
Democratic Sarahia Benn 2,123 26.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 34A election, 2018[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Ann Lisanti (incumbent) 13,558 28.5
Democratic Steve Johnson 11,857 24.9
Republican Glen Glass (incumbent) 11,692 24.6
Republican J.D. Russell 9,606 20.2
Write-in 825 1.8
Maryland House of Delegates District 34A election, 2022[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Andre Johnson Jr. 13,478 29.6
Democratic Steven C. Johnson (incumbent) 12,029 26.4
Republican Glen Glass 10,717 23.5
Republican Teresa Walter 9,248 20.3
Write-in 72 0.2

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Not related to Andre Johnson Jr.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Steven C. Johnson, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. May 24, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "Members - Delegate Steve Johnson". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. July 13, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  3. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Hernández, Arelis R. (January 9, 2019). "Meet the freshman class of the Maryland General Assembly". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Park, Madison (October 19, 2007). "Reasons listed for disqualifying Aberdeen candidate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Park, Madison (October 23, 2007). "Disqualified Aberdeen candidate drops appeal". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Zumer, Bryna (February 20, 2014). "Harford's Lisanti runs for legislature; Jennings, Glass, McComas hope to keep seats". The Aegis. Harford County, Maryland. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  7. ^ Kurtz, Josh (November 7, 2018). "With Absentee Ballots Counted, Democrats Run Up Their House Majority". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Carter, S. Wayne Jr. (February 9, 2021). "Harford lawmakers may amend House bill to create fully elected school board". The Aegis. Harford County, Maryland. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  9. ^ Carter, S. Wayne Jr. (February 18, 2021). "Harford delegation's effort to create all-elected school board fails, but county senators offer their own version". The Aegis. Harford County, Maryland. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  10. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (February 5, 2020). "Democrats Challenge Hogan to Put Up Solutions on Crime". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Anderson, David (May 12, 2021). "Havre de Grace leaders honor teen resident who inspired law allowing students to take medical cannabis at school". The Aegis. Harford County, Maryland. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  12. ^ "Harford County's key takeaways from the 2019 legislative session". The Aegis. Harford County, Maryland. April 9, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  13. ^ Little, Ryan E. (January 22, 2020). "Among bills for Maryland small business, big lemonade stands out". Capital News Service. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  14. ^ Dance, Scott (March 15, 2022). "Maryland General Assembly, wrestling to ensure relief for motorists, advances gas tax holiday proposal". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  15. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 18, 2022). "House Leaders Unveil Package to Slash Sales Taxes, Expand Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Weiner, Deborah (April 1, 2022). "Several major tax relief bills signed into law in Maryland". WBAL-TV. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  18. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
  19. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
  20. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.

External links[edit]

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