James "JJ" Johnson
![](https://thumb.spokesman.com/uO6q6eDqVn9RLDznlEJuDvMVKgE=/600x0/media.spokesman.com/graphics/2018/07/sr-loader.png)
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).
Contact information
Race Results
Candidate | Votes | Pct |
---|---|---|
Rod Higgins | 10,375 | 50.16% |
James “JJ” Johnson | 10,307 | 49.84% |
Related Coverage
Recount coming: Spokane Valley councilman Higgins leads Johnson by 68 votes
Higgins trailed on election night by 1.5 percentage points, but he pulled ahead as more ballots came in.
Incumbents Higgins and Thompson trailing in Spokane Valley council election
The balance of power on City Council probably won’t shift based on Tuesday’s partial election results.
Northwest Passages: Spokane Valley City Council debate
Spokane Valley City Council member Rod Higgins debates challenger J.J. Johnson on the Northwest Passages livestream. The opening statements of the debate were cut off by technical difficulties in the studio.
Conservative Spokane Valley Councilman Rod Higgins faces moderate JJ Johnson in bid for third term
Longtime Spokane Valley City Councilman Rod Higgins is facing off against JJ Johnson as he fights to retain his seat.