POLL: KENNY JOHNSON ZOOMS INTO LEAD IN STATE REP RACE

CAPITOL FAX SAYS JOHNSON’S “RUNNING TEXTBOOK CAMPAIGN”

With little more than two weeks left in the campaign, candidate Kenny Johnson has moved into a solid lead in the crowded Democratic primary field in 26th District state representative race, according to the latest poll.

Johnson, a local businessman, is leading the field of five with 20 percent of the vote, having gained 13 points since a similar poll in September. His nearest opponent, community activist Philip Jackson, lost 9 points since the last poll and fell to second place behind Johnson at 16 percent. Three other candidates, including incumbent Elga Jefferies, remained in single digits.

“My positive message about new leadership and changing the status quo in Springfield is resonating with the voters. Clearly, the voters are tired of the gridlock in state government. They want new leaders with new ideas to improve schools, create jobs and enhance public services,” Johnson said.

The latest poll, reported in today’s Capitol FAX newsletter, noted that Johnson is “running a textbook campaign,” which includes an aggressive direct mail effort, billboards and e-mails.

The poll found Johnson was the best known and most liked candidate in the race. Johnson also led among both black voters and white voters, according to the survey, conducted January 11-13 by Washington D.C. pollster Lester & Associates with 400 respondents (giving it a margin of error of plus-minus 4.9 percent).

The 26th District includes much of the Loop and runs along the Chicago lakefront from the Near North Side to the South Side. The primary is February 5th.

CANDIDATE JOHNSON ANNOUNCES SERVICES FOR FATHER

Kenny Johnson, a candidate for state representative of the 26th District, today announced that his father, Kenneth H. Johnson, Sr., has passed away. His father and namesake was 66 years old.

Mr. Johnson suffered a massive stroke on Friday evening at his home in Lawrenceville, Georgia and was rushed to a nearby hospital. A retired Navy Captain, Mr. Johnson remained in a coma until his death, just three days shy of his next birthday.

Johnson said, “I loved my Dad and will miss him immensely. He was my father, my friend and my hero. I thank all the people who have expressed their sympathies and condolences. Their thoughts and prayers have helped to strengthen and sustain me during this difficult time.”

Johnson, who has been at his father’s bedside since Saturday, will remain in Georgia in the coming days. He said, “For now, I’m clearing my schedule of all campaign appearances in order to be with family and make the necessary funeral arrangements. At the appropriate time, I look forward to returning to Chicago and campaigning vigorously to become the next state representative of the 26th District.”

Mr. Johnson, who will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, lived with his second wife, Mrs. Eleanor Johnson. His first wife of more than 30 years and Kenny Johnson’s mother, Mrs. Bernadine Johnson, passed away in 2003. 

I want to thank everyone for the love and support. My family and I deeply appreciate it.

My fathers first memorial service will be this Saturday.:

When: Saturday January 19, 2008

Time: 2:00 PM

Where: World Changes Tabernacle

1241 Alta Vista Drive

Columbus, GA 31907

706.562.8070 Phone

Please feel free to send flowers to the church in GA. We are also in the process of setting up a scholarship fund in my fathers name.

My father will be buried in Arlington National Cemetary on February 21 with details to follow.

The Boston Tea Party Was A Success!

“AS WE POUR THE WATER DOWN WE STAND UP AGAINST TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!”

Today Kenny Johnson, candidate for state representative of the 26th District, hosted a Chicago-style “Boston Tea Party” to give taxpayers a chance to show their outrage at proposed Chicago and Cook County tax hikes totaling more than a billion dollars.

“Enough is enough!” Johnson and the demonstrators shouted. Among them: Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.; Cook County Commissioners Forrest Claypool and Larry Suffredin, and Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti.

Today’s demonstrators lined the bridge at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive waving signs declaring, “Get Your Hands Out Of My Pocket,” “No Taxation Without Representation” and “We Deserve Better.” Then, in the spirit of the colonists who dumped tea into Boston Harbor instead of allowing themselves to be gouged by a British tax on one of their staples, they poured bottles of water into the Chicago River.

“We–the taxpayers–are not represented when taxes on ordinary citizens rise so high and so fast that hardworking people may be drowned,” said Johnson. “We–the taxpayers–are not represented when our taxes go to fund waste, fraud and corruption INSTEAD of schools, jobs and safer streets.”

Congressman Jackson said, “Last year the mayor opposed a living wage ordinance to help some of our hardest-working families, and this year he proposes a huge tax increase to make things even harder for those same families.”

Johnson to host “Boston Tea Party” at Chicago River to Protest Tax Increases

I’m writing with an urgent request for you to join me for a “Boston Tea Party” in Chicago on Monday, October 29th. The event will be held to demonstrate against the outrageous, record-breaking tax hike proposals in our area.

Recently, Mayor Richard Daley proposed an unprecedented 15 percent property tax hike, more than all his previous such increases combined. He also wants to raise telephone, water and sewer rates and add a 10-cent tax on bottles of water.

Days later, Cook County President Todd Stroger proposed a jaw-dropping tax increase of his own, including a tripling of the sales tax, doubling of the gas tax and twofold increase of the parking tax.

Between Mayor Daley’s $293 million tax hike proposal and Cook County President Stroger’s $888 million tax increase plan, you — the taxpayer — may be gouged an additional $1.3 billion next year.

It seems that our political leaders are in a race to see who can raise taxes higher, faster. Yet, these tax hike proposals aren’t the result of local governments being financially broke, but rather, morally bankrupt. They refuse to cut waste, fraud and corruption out of the system … and then stick taxpayers with the inflated bill.

Are you frustrated and fed-up with politicians who are lining their pockets, while citizens are losing their shirts? Do you think enough is enough?

I say YES. If you agree, I hope that you’ll join me for a “Boston Tea Party” in Chicago. WE must come together to protest the lack of representation of ordinary, taxpaying citizens. WE ARE NOT BEING REPRESENTED. We must raise our voices and demand:’NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

Let’s follow in the footsteps of our nation’s founders. During your lunch break, join me at the southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive at 12:00 Noon on Monday, October 29th, to protest the lack of representation and the ever-escalating taxes. Instead of tea, we’ll pour bottled water — subject to a proposed 10-cent tax — into the Chicago River.

Make and bring signs that say the following:

“NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”
“TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION IS TYRANNY”
“GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY POCKET”
“ALDERMEN, COMMISSIONERS — WE WILL REMEMBER”; “CUT THE CORRUPTION TAX”
“I PAY TAXES, I DESERVE BETTER.”

To endorse/participate in the event or for additional information, please call (312) 731-2724 or email us (info@kennyjohnsonjr.com). I look forward to seeing you on Monday.

Sincerely,

Kenny Johnson
Candidate for State Representative for the 26th District