Johnson announces return to Summit County government

State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) today announced she will step down at the end of the month as state representative to accept a new position in the office of Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro. Johnson will be working as deputy director in the Department of Law. Johnson released the following statement regarding the transition:

“Ilene has been a mentor to me for many years and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of her team. I am excited to join in her vision for Summit County and I will bring my skills as an attorney and an advocate for working class people to the executive’s office. 

“The move is both exciting and bittersweet. I am extremely proud of the strides I made on behalf of the thirty-fifth District, as well as the statewide relationships I established. I will miss my colleagues and staff, but I know they will continue to fight for all of Ohio’s residents.  My staff will continue to serve the people of Akron and Barberton and service will be uninterrupted as my replacement is seated. 

“It has been an honor to serve the people of the thirty-fifth District as state representative and I thank them for their confidence and support. I hope they feel that their voice was amplified at the Statehouse and that their concerns were heard and earnestly pursued. I look forward to continuing to serve them, and all residents of Summit County, in my new position.”

Johnson was elected to her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014. During her time in the legislature, she been a vocal advocate for women’s rights issues, victims’ assistance, and greater economic parity for Ohio’s workers. Johnson has received recognition for her efforts to remove spousal exemptions for rape cases, eliminate the tax on feminine hygiene products, and for her support of a statewide response to the opioid epidemic.

“Greta Johnson has been an invaluable member of the Democratic Caucus and this institution,” said House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton). “She is a fierce and effective advocate for not just the people of the thirty-fifth District, but for all Ohioans who believe fairness, equality and opportunity strengthen our democracy and increase our quality of life. Her courage and principled voice helped start new dialogues at the Statehouse that led to amplified awareness, better advocacy and new laws. Our loss at the Statehouse is Summit County’s gain, and we know she’ll continue to standout as an effective public servant in her new position.”

Prior to being elected, Johnson served as a prosecutor in the prosecutor’s offices for Mahoning County, Summit County and the City of Akron. Johnson attended the University of Akron, earning her BA in Secondary Education in 1999, MA in Higher Education Administration in 2001, and her JD in Law in 2004. She has utilized her legal background at the Statehouse as ranking member on the House Criminal Justice and House Judiciary committees.

The House Democratic Caucus is expected to publicly announce the process for selecting a replacement in the coming days.