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FULL INTERVIEW: Julie Johnson 1-on-1 with Steven Dial
State Representative Julie Johnson is expected to become the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from Texas. She sat down with FOX 4's Steven Dial on the day after her Texas Primary to talk about the Texas border, Donald Trump and the historic nature of her win.
State Rep. Julie Johnson has moved one step closer to taking over Congressman Colin Allred's seat in the U.S. House.
In the crowded, 10-person District 32 Democratic race, Johnson has just over 50% of the vote.
Dr. Brian Williams, her main competitor, conceded in a post on social media Wednesday morning.
Johnson has served in the Texas House since January 2019, representing District 115.
If Johnson wins in the reliably blue District 32, she will be the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress in Texas history.
After a late night of uncertainty, it was early Wednesday morning when Johnson claimed victory in the race to replace Allred.
In a one-on-one interview with FOX 4’s Steven Dial, she pulled no punches with her opinions.
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Julie Johnson on primary win, challenges ahead for Dems
State Rep. Julie Johnson moved a step closer to becoming the first openly gay member of Congress from Texas. She talked about the steps Texas needs to take to secure the border, recent abortion rulings and if Democrats have a chance to retake the House in November.
DIAL: You would be the first openly gay member of the Texas delegation and, for that matter, the south. What does that mean?
JOHNSON: It’s significant. Texas is the bullseye in this country of hate against the LGBT community. Every Republican member has to have their chip to say I have my bill to target us.
DIAL: What will be some of your priorities as you go into Congress?
JOHNSON: Women are angry. They want their freedom back. We took a 50-year step back in terms of our progress. We have to restore women the right to control their health, their family, their body.
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It’s no secret that Texas is Trump country. But elsewhere, it is unknown if President Joe Biden will have any momentum to flip dissatisfied Republicans or if they will choose to stay home.
JOHNSON: Trump-ism is not popular. It scares people. People are very worried about the health of our democracy. They are worried about the future of our country.
DIAL: The border, that issue is not going away. What will it take to have some compromise?
JOHNSON: Texas is on the front lines of this border crisis, and it’s going to take members of the Texas delegation to solve it.
DIAL: Do you think Texas Democrats need to embrace it more?
JOHNSON: Absolutely. Of course, Texas Democrats need to embrace it. It’s a problem that affects everyone in this state, and Texas Democrats are uniquely positioned to have the right balance.
Johnson will take on a Republican opponent in the general election on November 5.
Former Dallas City Council member David Blewitt finished on top but did not clear 50%. He will face small business owner Darrell Day in a runoff.
House District 32 covers suburbs in northeastern Dallas County, plus slivers of Collin and Denton counties.