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Johnny Black
Johnny Black (Republican Party) ran for election to the Mississippi House of Representatives to represent District 73. He lost in the Republican primary on August 6, 2019.
Black completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: Mississippi House of Representatives elections, 2019
General election
General election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 73
Jill Ford defeated Gayle Walsh Massey in the general election for Mississippi House of Representatives District 73 on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jill Ford (R)  | 73.8 | 10,195 |
| Gayle Walsh Massey (D) | 26.2 | 3,622 | ||
| Total votes: 13,817 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 73
Gayle Walsh Massey advanced from the Democratic primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 73 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Gayle Walsh Massey | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 73
Jill Ford defeated Johnny Black in the Republican primary for Mississippi House of Representatives District 73 on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jill Ford | 67.9 | 6,179 |
| Johnny Black | 32.1 | 2,927 | ||
| Total votes: 9,106 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Johnny Black completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Black's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My top priority is to increase the viability of Mississippi as a destination for businesses and population to locate in. I would do this by working to eliminate the State Income Tax, and by reducing the number of burdensome regulations so that businesses can expand, relocate here, and flourish.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I will tackle the inefficiencies within government and ensure that all expenditures are not only necessary, but also at the best price we can get. As a businessman, I was constantly looking for ways to stretch the revenues we had, instead of ever increasing the costs to my customers. This same principle applies to government with over taxing and over spending.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my mother and father. They are both very honest and very generous, and have selfless, servant hearts. They are always looking for ways to improve the community.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty and Integrity.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have worked with tens of thousands of customers and thousands of employees during my business career. I know how to listen, and I know how to lead.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To be a strong voice for the district you are elected from, but even more importantly to be a voice for the entire State of Mississippi. My particular district is very blessed, though we still have needs. You must be willing to work with other legislators to move the entire state forward.
What legacy would you like to leave?
My goal would be to have Mississippi become the preferred place businesses and their populations move to. I want to see Mississippi expand and grow, to become a relevant state. We have lost congressional seats and we are on the verge of losing yet another in the next decade. I plan to reverse that trend and begin to regain our seats.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job was washing towels during the summer at about age 8. My friend and I were saving up to buy a sailboat. Sadly we did not succeed, but we did learn the value of work at an early age. I worked every summer throughout my junior high, high school, and college years at many different jobs.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as it is the one time of the year that my entire family is able to gather to spend time together. Everyone helps with the cooking and cleaning, and enjoys the fishing, hunting, and shared family time.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Of course it could be beneficial to have previous legislative experience as there are many rules and procedures to follow and the learning curve would be shorter. But learning the rules of the legislative process can be accomplished quickly. Having real world business experience is much more important! Real business world knowledge and experience is gained over decades and can't be "picked up" by those without it.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
The loss of population. Mississippi must work on increasing the population of the state to ensure no further loss of congressional seats, and to begin picking up additional ones!
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
A relationship of mutual respect and working towards a common goal. Both of these branches of government are working to improve the state in the way that they believe is best. Having respect for the other branch means listening to what the other has to say and looking for common ground to achieve the goals of both.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Of course it is beneficial to have relationships with the other legislators! My goal to improve not only my district, but the entire state, means building coalitions to work on the needs of the state as a whole.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I prefer a process that has the most compact districts.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Appropriations Legislative Budget Office Revenue and Expenditure General Bills Workforce Development
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes. I feel though I would be among the newest members, that I have the ability to get people work together and find common ground.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I am solely focused on bettering the State of Mississippi through my service in the roles a State Representative.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
