Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

Daniel Johnson is a principled, common sense leader running to serve the 10th District of North Carolina in the United States Congress. As a 10th District native, a highly-decorated Navy veteran, and a former felony prosecutor, Daniel has the background and experience to bring a new brand of leadership to Washington. The son of a minister and a public school teacher, Daniel grew up in a home where the commitment to public service was real, and he has embodied this commitment throughout his life.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Daniel began his service as an officer in the United States Navy. While serving aboard the U.S.S. Blue Ridge near South Korea, Daniel risked his own life to save a fellow serviceman. Daniel and the sailor survived, but Daniel lost both of his legs below the knee. For his bravery, Daniel received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest peacetime medal for heroism.

After his recovery, Daniel worked on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator Max Cleland of Georgia. Daniel then enrolled in law school at UNC, where he met his wife Creecy. He began his legal career as a prosecutor where he quickly worked his way up from handling misdemeanor DWI cases to felony assignments including drug trafficking, robbery, and murder. Currently, Daniel is an attorney in his hometown of Hickory. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Hickory, where his father has been the senior minister for eighteen years. Daniel and Creecy are expecting their first child, a little girl, in June.

When I look around our District, I see a great need for change. I will fight for fair, enforceable trade laws that protect American jobs and increase the export of American products.   We must also protect North Carolina's low-tax business climate to attract new high-paying jobs to our region.  We must invest in our infrastructure and our small businesses.  And we must support and improve our public education system so that our children are prepared to compete in this new global economy.

The cost of healthcare is out of control - bankrupting our families and our small businesses. Instead of re-hashing the same debates, we need to find real solutions that drive down costs while maintaining quality of care.  Sky rocketing gas prices place an enormous strain on our community.  In addition, our dependence on Middle East oil leaves our national security at the mercy of foreign regimes.  Our government must work with private industry and consumers to increase the efficiency of fossil fuel use while encouraging the production of renewable energy sources.  

I see a great need for change in Washington, too. Congress has failed its primary responsibility - stewardship of our tax dollars.  Since 2004, our nation's debt has increased by $1.6 trillion.  We must cut wasteful spending and unnecessary corporate subsidies.   At the same time, too many Americans are paying too much in federal taxes. We need tax relief for the core of America - middle class and working class families, small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Finally, America owes its prosperity and freedom to the veterans of our armed services.  As a veteran, I understand the great sacrifices made daily by our troops.  In Congress, I will fight to ensure that veterans and their families receive the benefits and support that they have so dutifully earned.