Michelle Johnson (California)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michelle Johnson

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Southern California

Personal

Birthplace

Fullerton, Calif.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Banking executive

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Michelle Johnson ran in a special election to the Irvine City Council to represent District 1 in California. She lost in the special general election on November 5, 2024.

Johnson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michelle Johnson was born in Fullerton, California. She attended the University of Virginia, Darden Executive Leadership Program and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. Her career experience includes working as a banking executive and managing director of a real estate practice.

Elections

2024

See also: City elections in Irvine, California (2024)

General election

Special general election for Irvine City Council District 1

Melinda Liu defeated John Park, Michelle Johnson, Jackie Kan, and Jeff Kitchen in the special general election for Irvine City Council District 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melinda Liu (Nonpartisan)	32.3	5,896
		John Park (Nonpartisan)	31.7	5,787
		Michelle Johnson (Nonpartisan)	17.9	3,274
		Jackie Kan (Nonpartisan)	12.3	2,243
		Jeff Kitchen (Nonpartisan)	5.8	1,050

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,250
= 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.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Johnson in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michelle Johnson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Johnson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A native Californian, Michelle grew up with her four siblings in Maryland near Washington D.C., as well as in Southern California.Her father was a Navy Captain who served in World War II,the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam.Her mother also served in World War II as a Lieutenant in the Navy Nurse Corps and was a nursing educator.After graduating from USC,Michelle began a 25-year career in banking and corporate finance. Her last position was Managing Director and Group Executive of a national business unit consisting of Fortune 500 and large private corporations.Michelle then started her own consulting firm advising on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and financial restructuring for companies in the United States.Michelle has held Securities 7 and 63 licenses and is currently licensed as a California Professional Fiduciary, Enrolled Agent, and Broker. Michelle and her husband, Dave, have lived in District 1- in the community of Northpark - for the past 23 years.She currently serves as a City of Irvine Planning Commissioner and is a resident leader who drew the District Map for the City of Irvine and was the District 1 Leader for the districting ballot measure. A lifelong volunteer, Michelle has been a dedicated supporter of various nonprofits, including United Way, Human Options, Arts Orange County, UCI, Discovery Cube, Heart of Jesus Retreat Center,and her church St. Thomas More.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I’m running for office to be an advocate for residents in District 1 who have never had a city council representative living in their neighborhoods for over 20 years. I've worked with the residents on a number of key initiatives including the closure of the All American Asphalt plant, the environmental hazards of the expanding Bowerman Landfill, the need for a District 1 Community Center and Branch Library while keeping the Katie Wheeler Library open, and the establishment of a Wildfire Management and Evacuation Plan.
• My city priorities include a planning first approach to preserving our City's Master Plan and keeping a balance between development and infrastructure, schools and public services. I support the Great Park Framework Plan with a current emphasis on building out the open space/park elements. Our schools and public safety are a top priority to ensure our high quality of life is preserved and our property values protected. The City has always been a leader in affordable housing in the County and our focus should be on transit oriented development that can provide affordable housing and homeownership. Finally, the City should promote a city wide rooftop solar program with battery storage to lower our greenhouse gas emissions.
• District 1 is a new District for the City of Irvine and will have a shortened two year term. Many of our resident issues are complex and I am prepared to provide solutions to our resident issues on Day 1 as I have already been working with City Management on identifying and structuring solutions.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education policies that support our schools and our students through innovative programs that prepare our young people for the future. Economic policies that support our local businesses, keep our property and sales taxes low, and continue our city's strong financial position. Energy policies that provide common sense climate goals that are both measurable and sustainable.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my parents. They lead a life of service to our country and sacrificed throughout their lives for their family and children. My parents instilled in me their values of integrity and honesty.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ethical principles are the most needed for our elected officials as well as the ability to have a set of established principles that puts the residents first. Since our City Council is now expanding to 7 members, it is critically important that our Council Members treat eachother with respect and work together to advance the quality of life for our residents.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I have over 25 years of experience in structuring and solving complex issues. The issues facing residents in District 1 have been ignored for many years and become more complex over time. It's important for the office holder to have the skillset to become involved in these issues, understand them, and participate meaningfully in the solutions.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Irvine Community News and Views, Stop Toxic Asphalt/Air Pollutants, many resident leaders in all 7 villages in the District

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that financial transparency and government accountability are paramount to having a government that the residents can trust and have faith in.

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

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Irvine City Council District 1

Website

Facebook

Instagram