He first served as a state senator before becoming a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 94th District, being first elected in 2004.
[2] Johnson graduated from North Natchez High School and got a scholarship to Washington University in St. Louis.
He was there for three years and transferred to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, receiving a degree in political science and urban studies.
[2] In 1986, Johnson returned to Mississippi, where he worked for Edwin Pittman in the attorney general's office.
[1][2] Johnson was elected Minority Leader for the Mississippi House of Representatives in 2020, winning it without opposition.