James "JJ" Johnson

A candidate for Spokane Valley City Council, Position 1, City of Spokane Valley in the 2021 Washington General Election, Nov. 2

City: Spokane Valley, Spokane

Education: Graduated from Central Valley High School in 1975. Went to Eastern Washington University and holds a mechanical engineering degree from Spokane Community College.

Work experience: Spent years working as a project manager in the steel business, constructing buildings. Now works for Spokane Public Schools buying textbooks and other items students need for their studies.

Political experience: Spent five years on the Spokane Valley Planning Commission and served as the commission’s chair.

Family: Has three kids. Engaged to Sheryl Stone.

Campaign fundraising: Raised $16,300 as of Oct. 11, 2021, including $1,900 that he loaned to himself. Contributors include Rick Wilhite, husband of former Spokane Valley Mayor and Spokane County Republican Party leader Diana Wilhite ($500), former Spokane County Democratic Party chairman Ed Wood ($50), the Spokane Regional Labor Council ($1,500), United Association of Plumbing and Steamfitters Labor Union #44 ($1,000), Jerry Dicker-owned GVD Hospitality Management Services ($1,000), the Washington Teamsters Legislative League ($500), former Spokane Valley City Councilman Bill Gothmann ($200), Elizabeth Grafos, wife of former Spokane Valley Mayor Dean Grafos ($500), and Spokane Valley City Councilman Tim Hattenburg ($50).