Gloria Johnson (politician)

Gloria Johnson (born January 28, 1963) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 13th district, encompassing part of Knox County. She was first elected in 2012, defeating incumbent Republican Representative Mike Kernell.

Johnson is known for her advocacy on issues such as education, healthcare, and LGBTQ+ rights. A retired special education teacher, she frequently speaks on the importance of public education funding and teacher support.

She gained national attention in 2023 when she was one of three Democratic representatives facing expulsion votes for their participation in a gun control protest on the House floor following a school shooting in Nashville. While two other representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were expelled by the Republican supermajority, Johnson narrowly avoided expulsion by a single vote. This event led to widespread media coverage and renewed debate over political polarization and gun control in Tennessee.