Hank Johnson

Hank Johnson
Born	Henry Calvin Johnson Jr. 2 10, 1954
Birthplace	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Georgia's 4th congressional district
Education	Clark Atlanta University (BA) Texas Southern University (JD)
Children	2
Website	[[hankjohnson.house.gov hankjohnson.house.gov] Official site]

Henry Calvin Johnson Jr. (born October 2, 1954), known as Hank Johnson, is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 4th congressional district since January 3, 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, Johnson represents a district anchored in Atlanta's inner eastern suburbs, encompassing the majority of DeKalb County—including Decatur, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, and Doraville—as well as parts of Gwinnett County, including Peachtree Corners, Lawrenceville, Duluth, and Norcross, along with a small portion of the city of Atlanta itself. Johnson won the seat in 2006 by defeating longtime incumbent Cynthia McKinney in the Democratic primary, and he has represented the district continuously since taking office in January 2007. A practicing attorney before entering Congress, Johnson has focused his legislative work on issues of judicial accountability, civil rights, and community empowerment throughout his tenure in office.

Early Life

Henry Calvin Johnson Jr. was born on October 2, 1954, in Washington, D.C.. He grew up during a period of significant social and political change in the United States, and his upbringing in the nation's capital exposed him to the workings of the federal government from an early age. Johnson would eventually relocate to Georgia, where he established his legal career and entered public life.

Details regarding Johnson's family background and childhood years in Washington, D.C. are limited in publicly available records. What is documented is that Johnson pursued higher education at historically Black institutions, a path that shaped both his professional trajectory and his commitment to public service in Georgia's DeKalb County and the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.

Education

Johnson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark Atlanta University, one of the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Atlanta, Georgia. He subsequently pursued legal studies at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, another historically Black institution, where he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. His education at two prominent HBCUs grounded him in the communities and traditions that would later define his political constituency in the Atlanta metropolitan area. After completing his law degree, Johnson returned to Georgia to practice law, eventually settling in DeKalb County, where he would build both his legal practice and his political career.

Career

Legal Career and Early Political Life

Before entering Congress, Johnson practiced law in DeKalb County, Georgia, building a career as an attorney. His legal background provided the foundation for his later legislative focus on judicial reform and accountability measures. Johnson also served as a DeKalb County Commissioner, gaining experience in local governance and developing relationships with constituents across the county. His tenure as a county commissioner gave him firsthand experience with the administrative and policy challenges facing the diverse suburban communities east of Atlanta.

2006 Congressional Campaign

In 2006, Johnson mounted a primary challenge against six-term incumbent Cynthia McKinney in Georgia's 4th congressional district. McKinney, a prominent and often controversial figure in national politics, had faced scrutiny over a physical altercation with a Capitol Police officer and other controversies during her time in Congress. Johnson positioned himself as a more measured alternative, emphasizing his record of public service in DeKalb County and his legal expertise.

The primary race drew significant local and national attention. Johnson defeated McKinney in the Democratic primary runoff, a result that was seen as a reflection of voters' desire for a change in representation. Given the heavily Democratic composition of the district, Johnson's primary victory was tantamount to election. He won the general election and took office on January 3, 2007, succeeding McKinney as the representative for Georgia's 4th congressional district.

Johnson's victory was noted by political observers as part of a broader trend in the 2006 midterm elections. His campaign was described as one that attracted voters seeking pragmatic, constituent-focused representation rather than national media attention.

Congressional Tenure

Johnson has served in Congress continuously since January 2007, representing Georgia's 4th congressional district through multiple redistricting cycles. The district has undergone boundary changes over the years but has remained centered on DeKalb County and portions of Gwinnett County in the eastern suburbs of Atlanta.

Iraq War and Foreign Policy

Early in his congressional tenure, Johnson engaged with one of the defining policy debates of the era: the Iraq War. In 2007, during the 110th Congress, he participated in discussions surrounding an Iraq resolution and related legislation. Johnson was among the House members who voted on H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, which included provisions for a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Committee Assignments and Legislative Focus

During his time in Congress, Johnson has served on key committees, including the House Judiciary Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. His background as an attorney has informed his work on the Judiciary Committee, where he has focused on issues related to judicial accountability, civil liberties, and constitutional law.

In November 2008, Johnson was appointed as a regional whip for the Democratic caucus, reflecting his growing role within the party's leadership structure in the House.

Johnson has participated in congressional hearings on a range of topics. Records from the 111th Congress show his involvement in hearings before the House Judiciary Committee on matters of oversight and policy.

Guam Hearing Incident

In March 2010, Johnson attracted significant media attention during a House Armed Services Committee hearing regarding a planned military buildup on the island of Guam. During questioning of Admiral Robert Willard, the commander of United States Pacific Command, Johnson expressed concern that the island could become overpopulated, stating that it might "tip over and capsize." The remark generated extensive coverage in national and international media. Johnson's office later stated that the comment was intended as a metaphor for the potential environmental and infrastructural strain that a large military buildup could place on the small island, though the moment became one of the most widely discussed episodes of his career.

Health Disclosure

In 2010, Johnson publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, a chronic liver disease, which he said had affected his energy levels and public demeanor in previous years. The disclosure came in the context of media inquiries about his health and his occasionally slow or deliberate speech patterns during congressional proceedings. Johnson stated that he had undergone treatment for the condition and that it was in remission. The disclosure was covered by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other outlets, and Johnson framed it as an effort to be transparent with his constituents about challenges he had faced.

Redistricting

Following the 2010 United States Census, Georgia's congressional districts were redrawn. The 4th congressional district underwent boundary changes, and in 2011, it was reported that portions of Newton County and other areas were to be included in or removed from the district. Despite these changes, the district remained centered on DeKalb County, and Johnson continued to represent the area without significant electoral challenge.

Legislative Initiatives in the 2020s

Johnson has continued to pursue legislative priorities focused on government accountability and civil rights. In November 2025, he reintroduced legislation aimed at holding federal officials accountable for constitutional violations. Working alongside Congressman Jamie Raskin, Johnson reintroduced the Bivens Act, which would allow citizens to recover damages for constitutional violations committed by federal officials. The legislation reflects Johnson's longstanding focus on judicial and governmental accountability, rooted in his legal background.

In July 2025, Johnson and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove introduced legislation designed to protect artists' First Amendment rights. The bill addressed concerns about the use of artistic expression—such as song lyrics—as evidence in criminal proceedings, arguing that creative works should not be treated as confessions or statements of fact.

Community Engagement

Johnson has maintained an active presence in his district through community-focused events and outreach programs. In August 2025, he hosted a "Week of H.O.P.E." (Helping Other People Elevate), a series of events held from August 11 to 16 that honored nonprofit organizations, provided education on grant opportunities, and organized volunteer activities throughout the community. The event was part of Johnson's broader efforts to connect constituents with resources and community organizations.

In February 2026, Johnson announced the "Future of the Fourth" reception, an event designed to recognize and celebrate exceptional students from across Georgia's 4th congressional district. The event reflected Johnson's emphasis on youth engagement and educational achievement in his district.

Johnson has also engaged with local media to discuss his congressional work and district-level concerns. In February 2026, he appeared as a guest on the Decaturish DL podcast, where he answered questions about his representation of Georgia's 4th congressional district and current legislative priorities.

In October 2025, Johnson publicly mourned the loss of Kathy Register, described as his longtime friend and district director, who had played a significant role in his congressional office's outreach operations.

Personal Life

Johnson has two children. He resides in the DeKalb County area of metropolitan Atlanta, within the congressional district he represents.

In 2010, Johnson publicly disclosed his diagnosis of Hepatitis C, stating that the condition had been in remission following treatment. He discussed the health challenge openly, noting that it had at times affected his public appearances and energy levels during his early years in Congress.

Johnson has maintained an active connection to his community through his congressional outreach programs and events, including the annual Week of H.O.P.E. and student recognition events.

Legacy

Hank Johnson has served in Congress for nearly two decades, representing one of Georgia's most diverse suburban districts through a period of significant demographic and political change in the Atlanta metropolitan area. He succeeded Cynthia McKinney, whose tenure was marked by national media attention and controversy, and has represented a contrasting approach to the role—one focused on legislative work, committee service, and constituent outreach rather than national media prominence.

His legislative efforts have centered on themes of governmental accountability, civil liberties, and judicial reform, consistent with his background as a practicing attorney. The Bivens Act and his work on First Amendment protections for artists reflect an ongoing commitment to constitutional and civil rights issues within the legislative process.

Johnson's disclosure of his Hepatitis C diagnosis in 2010 was noted as an act of transparency, though it also placed his earlier public performances—including the widely discussed Guam hearing remarks—in a different context for some observers.

Through programs like the Week of H.O.P.E. and the Future of the Fourth events, Johnson has sought to maintain a strong connection between his congressional office and the communities of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties, emphasizing local engagement and youth development alongside his legislative portfolio in Washington.

As of 2026, Johnson continues to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 4th congressional district as one of the longer-serving members of the Georgia congressional delegation.