Rob Johnson (Iowa politician)

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Rob Johnson

| image = Rob Johnson.jpg

| image_size =

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| state_house = Iowa

| district = 34th

| term_start = January 13, 2025

| term_end =

| predecessor = Ako Abdul-Samad

| successor =

| constituency =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|1|21}}

| birth_place =

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| party = Democratic

| spouse =

| relations =

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| residence = Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.

| alma_mater =

| occupation = Insurance agent

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| signature =

| website = {{official}}

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}}

Robert James Johnson (born January 21, 1988) is an American politician. He was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in November 2024, succeeding Ako Abdul-Samad in District 34.

Personal life and education

Johnson was raised in Chicago by his mother Janice. At the age of six, he and two of his sisters were placed in the care of their godparents before an aunt assumed guardianship.{{cite news |title=Student to speak to legislators at Washington, D.C., forum |url=https://news.drake.edu/2007/03/06/student-to-speak-to-legislators-at-washington-dc-forum/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |publisher=Drake University |date=6 March 2007}} Johnson moved to Des Moines, Iowa, in 2006, and graduated from Drake University in 2010 with a bachelor of arts in politics.{{cite news |last1=Gruber-Miller |first1=Stephen |title=Who are Rob Johnson and Danielle Duggan? Meet the candidates in Iowa House District 34 |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/03/meet-iowa-house-district-34-candidates-rob-johnson-danielle-duggan/74784391007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=3 October 2024}} While attending Drake, Johnson co-hosted The Young Legends Not Yet but Soon to Be on KDRA-LP. He also served on the Student Senate.{{cite news |last1=Harrington |first1=Jack |title=Rob Johnson campaigns on improving mental health services |url=https://timesdelphic.com/81756/features/rob-johnson-campaigns-on-improving-mental-health-services/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=The Times-Delphic |date=18 September 2010}}

Outside of politics, he works for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, is an associate minister at Corinthian Baptist Church,{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Tyler J. |title=Des Moines pastor uses religion to increase mental health awareness, political engagement in black community |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2019/12/28/rob-johnson-using-faith-increase-mental-heath-awareness-black-community/2621280001/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=28 December 2019}} and hosts the Fueling Hope Annual Gas Giveaway in Des Moines.{{cite news |last1=Trautmann |first1=Mike |title=Fueling Hope is giving away gas today at this Des Moines Kwik Star. What to know: |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2025/01/19/fueling-hope-holds-annual-gas-giveaway-in-des-moines/77825963007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=19 January 2025}} The event began in 2022,{{cite news |last1=Surrency |first1=Justin |title=Des Moines community activist plans $40k gas giveaway |url=https://who13.com/news/des-moines-community-activist-plans-40k-gas-giveaway/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |agency=WHO-DT |date=19 January 2024}} as a way for Johnson to celebrate his birthday.{{cite news |last1=Tam |first1=Nicole |title=Hundreds of Iowans get free gas in annual birthday giveaway |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/hundreds-of-iowans-get-free-gas-in-annual-rob-johnson-birthday-giveaway/63474846 |access-date=20 January 2025 |publisher=KCCI |date=19 January 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Tugade |first1=F. Amanda |title=How to get a tank of free gas through Rob Johnson's annual birthday giveaway |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2025/01/11/free-gas-giveaway-des-moines-now-partnering-with-kwik-star-rob-johnson/77434049007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=11 January 2025}}

Political career

Johnson served as a deputy campaign manager for Ako Abdul-Samad in 2014 and was responsible for religious outreach on behalf of the Democratic ticket in Iowa during the 2018 Iowa Secretary of State election, the 2020 United States presidential election and the 2022 Iowa gubernatorial election. After Abdul-Samad announced his retirement from the Iowa House of Representatives in 2024, Johnson announced his candidacy, and received endorsements from Abdul-Samad and Rob Sand.{{cite news |last1=Tugade |first1=F. Amanda |title=Retiring Iowa Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines endorses Rob Johnson as successor |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2024/02/19/pastor-rob-johnson-runs-for-iowa-house-with-incumbent-ako-abdul-samads-endorsement-retire/72633208007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=19 February 2024}} Johnson won a Democratic Party primary for District 34 against three other candidates,{{cite news |last1=Gruber-Miller |first1=Stephen |title=Democrat Rob Johnson wins primary for Ako Abdul-Samad's seat. Metro legislative results: |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/06/04/iowa-election-results-who-won-des-moines-metro-primary-races-for-iowa-house-and-senate/73964667007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=4 June 2024}} and defeated the Republican candidate Danielle Duggan in the general election.{{cite news |last1=Lathers |first1=Addison |title=Rob Johnson takes Iowa House District 34 seat opened by Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad's retirement |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/05/iowa-house-district-34-seat-sought-by-rob-johnson-danielle-duggan-2024-election/75721013007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Des Moines Register |date=5 November 2024}}