DJ Johnson filed his letter of intent in Frankfort Wednesday, in order to begin fundraising for his 2020 campaign for the 13th District legislative seat.
Johnson withdrew his election challenge on Friday after a nearly three-month process of contesting the one-vote margin that gave Representative Jim Glenn the victory on Election Day. After a local recanvass conducted by the Daviess County Clerk’s Office concluded the same one-vote margin in late 2018, a House of Representatives committee was formed to oversee Johnson’s challenge.
The House committee requested a full recount of the 13th District, which was conducted in early February by the clerk’s office, resulting in a tie. Johnson withdrew his challenge Friday stating that the “legal circus” he anticipated from his opponent was not something he wished to put on the voters.
Jim Glenn’s attorney filed motions with the committee stating that Johnson’s attorneys interfered with the recount process and a tie was only reached because of their influence over one specific ballot. Glenn’s attorney said her client would pursue further legal action should a coin toss be the deciding factor for the 13th District seat, stating a sitting legislator could not be impeached in such a method.
Johnson said that, after consulting his family and advisors, he heard concerns over how the process was handled by Glenn and received encouragement to run.
“I tend to act on my decisions and not sit on them, so I am going to start the process,” Johnson told Owensboro Times on his commute to Frankfort Wednesday.
Johnson said a private event would be held Thursday, officially launching his 2020 campaign.
“In addition to continuing to fight to reshape our economy and protect our conservative values, I want to go back to Frankfort to reform our election laws to ensure every vote is counted in a fair, non-partisan process,” Johnson said.
