Bins of sporting equipment, real estate signs and a stack of campaign flyers fill the back of Ramona Johnson’s 2007 Dodge Caravan. The minivan serves as a mobile headquarters for the working mother of two and unlikely Republican Assembly candidate.
Johnson, a 48-year-old African-American, said people are surprised by her party affiliation and vocal support of Donald Trump. “I can’t defend everything he says, but he’s not a career politician and that’s what we need,” Johnson said, refusing to comment on Trump’s more outrageous quotes.
Johnson is challenging Democratic Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein for the 41st Assembly District. Weinstein, who has been in office nearly 36 years, chairs the Assembly Judiciary Committee and is a member of four other Assembly committees.
The 41st Assembly District covers parts of southern Brooklyn, including Sheepshead Bay, Flatlands and East Flatbush and, like most of Brooklyn, historically votes Democratic. Of the 21 Assembly members from Brooklyn, only one is registered as a Republican – and Staten Island encompasses much of that district.
Johnson said she sees many parallels between her campaign and the presidential race. She compared Weinstein to Hillary Clinton, pointing out that both are trained lawyers and have spent a good part of their lives in public office, which, she said, leaves them disconnected from everyday life.
A “Kinder, Gentler Republican”
Johnson, a real estate agent, frequently volunteers for organizations like the Women’s Prison Association and is a parent advocate at the Sheepshead Bay/Nostrand House public housing complex. Volunteering, Johnson said, keeps her grounded in the community.
“I’m a kinder, gentler Republican,” Johnson said, to explain how her views and social advocacy fit into the national GOP platform. She advocates for a smaller federal government, lower taxes and is pro-life because she is a Christian, she said, noting that those view best align with GOP positions.
“We need fresh ideas and fresh opinions,” Johnson said.
The last two elections have gone smoothly for Weinstein. According to the New York Board of Elections, Weinstein did not have a primary challenger in 2012 or 2014 and won more than 79 percent of the vote in each general election.
A strong belief that elected representatives should face term limits led her to file the paperwork to become Republican candidate, Johnson said.
Johnson points to recent endorsements from State Senator Marty Golden and the Brooklyn Tea Party as a sign that her campaign is gaining momentum.
“We have a very diverse group of candidates this cycle,” said James McClelland, a senior advisor to Golden. McClelland said Golden gave endorsements to multiple candidates at a Republican dinner in Brooklyn with over 150 people in attendance.
Even with the endorsements, donations have been hard to come by. A recent GoFundMe set up for Johnson’s campaign has 24 “shares” on Facebook and only $10 in donations.
While polling information is not available for the race, Johnson said she likes her chances, noting, “Most people now know she (Weinstein) has a challenger.”
