Before launching JSC, Johnson helped lead fundraising efforts for some of the most competitive — and expensive — races in the country. His experience includes serving as Texas Finance Director for Beto O’Rourke’s $75 million gubernatorial campaign, as well as work with Jeff Jackson for U.S. Senate, Amy McGrath’s record-shattering $96 million U.S. Senate campaign, Dana Nessel’s $6 million campaign for Michigan Attorney General, and a $15 million Chicago mayoral campaign in 2023, among others.

Johnson has made something of a specialty out of breaking fundraising records in red states and difficult districts. He believes great fundraising isn’t about handing a candidate a call sheet and wishing them luck. It’s about understanding people, creating momentum, building genuine relationships, and finding the story that makes someone want to be part of something bigger.

That philosophy is at the heart of JSC. As one of the few LGBTQ+ owned political consulting firms in the country, JSC is proudly hands-on, relationship-driven, and perhaps a little allergic to the phrase “that’s how it’s always been done.” Johnson believes the best client relationships are built on trust, candor, creativity, and the occasional mildly unhinged idea that turns out to work.

Outside of politics, Johnson can usually be found traveling somewhere, at a concert, spoiling his nephews beyond reason, dreaming up his next creative project, or watching The Real Housewives with the level of attention most people reserve for breaking news.

Politics is serious. The work matters. But Johnson has never believed that being good at it requires being boring.

Meet

Johnson Smith has spent nearly a decade raising money in places where conventional wisdom said it couldn’t be done — and building a reputation for proving conventional wisdom wrong.

As Founder and CEO of Johnson Smith Consulting (JSC), Johnson brings a decidedly different approach to political fundraising: strategic, relentless, deeply personal, and never one-size-fits-all. JSC has worked with candidates and organizations at nearly every level of American politics, including campaigns for U.S. Senate, Governor, Congress, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, State Senate, State Representative, Mayor and City Council, as well as caucuses and Super PACs.

Before launching JSC, Johnson helped lead fundraising efforts for some of the most competitive — and expensive — races in the country. His experience includes serving as Texas Finance Director for Beto O’Rourke’s $75 million gubernatorial campaign, as well as work with Jeff Jackson for U.S. Senate, Amy McGrath’s record-shattering $96 million U.S. Senate campaign, Dana Nessel’s $6 million campaign for Michigan Attorney General, and a $15 million Chicago mayoral campaign in 2023, among others.

Johnson has made something of a specialty out of breaking fundraising records in red states and difficult districts. He believes great fundraising isn’t about handing a candidate a call sheet and wishing them luck. It’s about understanding people, creating momentum, building genuine relationships, and finding the story that makes someone want to be part of something bigger.

That philosophy is at the heart of JSC. As one of the few LGBTQ+ owned political consulting firms in the country, JSC is proudly hands-on, relationship-driven, and perhaps a little allergic to the phrase “that’s how it’s always been done.” Johnson believes the best client relationships are built on trust, candor, creativity, and the occasional mildly unhinged idea that turns out to work.

Outside of politics, Johnson can usually be found traveling somewhere, at a concert, spoiling his nephews beyond reason, dreaming up his next creative project, or watching The Real Housewives with the level of attention most people reserve for breaking news.

Politics is serious. The work matters. But Johnson has never believed that being good at it requires being boring.

Meet

Johnson Smith has spent nearly a decade raising money in places where conventional wisdom said it couldn’t be done — and building a reputation for proving conventional wisdom wrong.

As Founder and CEO of Johnson Smith Consulting (JSC), Johnson brings a decidedly different approach to political fundraising: strategic, relentless, deeply personal, and never one-size-fits-all. JSC has worked with candidates and organizations at nearly every level of American politics, including campaigns for U.S. Senate, Governor, Congress, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, State Senate, State Representative, Mayor and City Council, as well as caucuses and Super PACs.