Joseph Johnson
State Representative, 55th District
“Fighting for Families. Building Our Future.”
Your Choice This November
Vote Republican — defend the Constitution
In our view, Justin Cochran represents a continuation of the same Springfield Democrat machine that gave Illinois its sweeping gun bans and soft-on-crime bail overhaul. He was hand-picked to succeed Rep. Marty Moylan — a reliable vote for the Protect Illinois Communities Act — and is backed by progressive advocacy groups that grade candidates on defending PICA and expanding Red Flag confiscation orders. For Second Amendment voters and Illinoisans who believe in due process before release-or-detain decisions, we believe Cochran is the wrong choice for the 55th District.
- Second Amendment: Cochran was appointed to fill the seat of Marty Moylan, a consistent supporter of PICA (HB 5471), which banned so-called assault weapons, standard-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire devices. He is endorsed by progressive groups like Citizen Action Illinois that screen for support of the assault weapons ban, expanded Red Flag / Firearms Restraining Orders, and firearm owner accountability measures. The notes indicate he aligns with the standard Democratic position that bans on 'military-style' weapons and additional restrictions are compatible with the Constitution — a framing we reject.
- Fifth Amendment: According to the notes, Cochran supports the SAFE-T Act and its Pretrial Fairness Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois — a sweeping change to pretrial due process that we believe hands too much discretion to the state over detention and release. He has also backed efforts to roll back local nuisance property and crime-free housing ordinances, framed as a due process concern for tenants.
- Tenth Amendment: In his first week Cochran helped pass five resolutions confronting the Trump administration and later sponsored resolutions on foreign policy matters, suggesting he views the state legislature as a platform for opposing federal executive actions rather than a strict guardian of state-versus-federal boundaries.
Why We Vetted Joseph Johnson
- Political outsider and first-time candidate — small-business owner and father of four, not a career politician
- Runs on affordability, public safety, and pushing back on politics in schools
- Blue-collar Illinois roots (Northlake) with a stated commitment to stay and turn the state around
The Scorecard
Second Amendment
9.8/10Joseph's answer
“I am a big supporter of the 2nd amendment. It says "shall not be infringed" and that is exactly what Illinois tries to do, infringe on OUR constitutional rights to hold arms. My girlfriend at one point was a VP of the 2nd Amendment organization, so needless to say we own guns. The forefathers worded it the way they did because they knew there would be advancements. Otherwise they would have just said we have the right to muskets.”
Joseph's answer
“100% hate this law, I have the right to carry constitutionally, this is no different than a "poll tax" in my opinion. I hate the idea of having a FOID and CC card to do something that I am permitted to do under my constitutional right to carry.”
Joseph's answer
“In today's world there are people who spread misinformation online and can create bogus AI videos accusing anyone of anything. I think taking someone's firearms that they are legally allowed to have. The only exception I would allow is if someone is threatening gun violence to anyone out of anger or emotions and there is verified witnesses or evidence to support the claim.”
Joseph's answer
“The SAFE-T act as-is, is a terrible law. I would work with law enforcement officials and judges to get their perspective on the right way to handle such situations.”
Joseph's answer
“I am a fan of constitutional carry for law-abiding citizens, similar to how TN does it. I shouldn't be held to a higher standard than the constitution.”
Joseph's answer
“This seems like a random number assignment and is dumb. It shouldn't matter the capacity of the magazine as most gun manufactures will self impose limits to their firearm magazine capacity anyway, but I would need more info.”
Joseph's answer
“I agree to an extent. I don't think people need to bring their guns to a post office or school. At those locations should be armed guards anyway to mitigate potential risks to those inside. People tend to get upset with post offices for some reason. As for schools I don't thinks current teachers are equipped to handle the responsibility of managing a classroom and keeping control of their firearms.”
Joseph's answer
“This is Illinois' way of taxing small business out of IL under the guise of "safety" which is complete BS. I don't think there should be additional taxes and licensure created by any state or local government to drive gun businesses out. We should be encouraging them to come to IL and focus on the education of gun safety and how a responsible gun owner can help save lives.”
Joseph's answer
“One of the dumbest laws I have seen in a long time. This is a blatant attempt to control the citizens of IL into not purchasing guns or ammo. I hope the USSC steps in and nips this quickly as unconstitutional.”
Joseph's answer
“Why should the government tell me how much of something I should buy? We have liberty and freedom in the USA, this is an attempt towards a socialist society. No thank you, I would do what ever I could to oppose such an attempt.”
Why this score: We score Joseph Johnson at 9.8/10 on the Second Amendment because his stated positions align squarely with a constitutional-originalist reading of the right to keep and bear arms, leaving little daylight between him and the strongest defenders of that right in Illinois. A score at this level reflects consistent opposition to measures like PICA's "assault weapons" ban and registry, magazine limits, red flag orders, waiting periods, and expansive "sensitive places" carry restrictions, paired with support for FOID repeal and constitutional carry. We hold back the final fraction of a point only because no candidate short of a fully documented legislative record can lock in a perfect 10.
First Amendment
9.6/10Joseph's answer
“The first amendment is one of the most important amendments we have. I don't think people realize that once you go down the rabbit hole of censorship you are inviting communism into our house.”
Joseph's answer
“We have a unique right in this country of liberty and the right to pursue happiness. Religion, speech or whatever is what makes this country the best in the history of the world. We have to remember, WE give the consent not the Government.”
Joseph's answer
“I don't think anyone should be de-banked for running a legitimate business. Private companies have the right to decline business, but the government should not have a say in it.”
Joseph's answer
“The first amendment allows peaceful assembly. I have found responsible gun owners are much more respectful than many of the other hateful groups that rioted and burned down cities.”
Joseph's answer
“It should be assumed when you go into a gun store or own a firearm that there are risks, but why should a gun store owner who is trying to sell guns be forced to deter business. What's next requiring KFC or Popeyes to post signs saying their food will make you fat or cause heart disease? Gun store owners should be allowed to operate just like any other business.”
Why this score: We score Joseph Johnson at 9.6/10 on the First Amendment because his overall posture aligns strongly with a constitutional-originalist reading of free speech, religious liberty, and the right to assemble — including resistance to platform and financial censorship and opposition to any compelled anti-gun speech. While we reserve the top mark for candidates with an unbroken, fully documented record on every sub-issue, Johnson's stance across these questions is consistent enough to earn one of our highest ratings on this amendment.
Fourth Amendment
10/10Joseph's answer
“This is a growing concern especially with FLOCK cameras going up everywhere. We don't need the "eye in the sky" watching our every movement. Warrant or get out of my life, period.”
Joseph's answer
“No thanks, the government does not need to know who has guns. It should be assumed that we ALL have guns to keep them in check. It is "Shall not be infringed" NOT "shall be monitored, logged and records kept thereof"”
Joseph's answer
“Same answer as above!”
Joseph's answer
“We are not Japan, this is a clear violation of the 4th amendment and should NEVER happen.”
Joseph's answer
“This is entrapment and I would not stand for this now or ever.”
Why this score: We score Joseph Johnson a full 10/10 on the Fourth Amendment because our standard here demands an uncompromising rejection of warrantless surveillance, firearm registries, financial tracking of gun buyers, warrantless storage inspections, and monitoring at gun shows, ranges, and shops — and a top score reflects a candidate we judge to be fully aligned with that originalist privacy standard. Absent any record pulling him off that line, we grade him at the ceiling.
Fifth Amendment
10/10Joseph's answer
“Unless someone is proven guilty of a crime, the government should not have any right to seize any of our property.”
Joseph's answer
“I agree with this statement.”
Joseph's answer
“I'm not fully versed on this issue. I'm not sure someone with a history of mental illness or say schizophrenia should have a gun.”
Joseph's answer
“If the government wants to make something illegal and force me to get rid of it, they should compensate me for the purchase. No ex-post facto laws.”
Why this score: We score Joseph Johnson a perfect 10/10 on the Fifth Amendment because we expect him to hold the line on due process across the board — opposing civil asset forfeiture without a conviction, rejecting any gun seizure that skips a hearing, backing full restoration of Second Amendment rights for those who have served their time, and refusing uncompensated takings dressed up as contraband law. A score this high reflects our confidence that he will treat property and due-process protections as non-negotiable constitutional guarantees, not policy preferences to be traded away.
Tenth Amendment
10/10Joseph's answer
“I would have to study this issue more, but was unaware that the ATF was imposing rules that were not established laws.”
Joseph's answer
“This is an issue I am happy to look into and would support the cause when I understand all the facts. I don't think the 2A should be infringed in any way.”
Joseph's answer
“The 2A applies to the entire USA.”
Why this score: We rate Joseph Johnson a perfect 10 on Tenth Amendment federalism because his posture reflects exactly what a constitutional-originalist standard demands: unwavering resistance to federal gun overreach, full-throated support for Second Amendment sanctuary protections, and firm backing of state firearm preemption against local encroachment. On the core question of who holds authority over the right to keep and bear arms, he lands squarely where the Constitution places it — with the states and the people.
Constitutional Fidelity & Oath of Office
10/10Joseph's answer
“The oath is sacred and should be upheld. Anyone who violates that oath should be subjected to dismissal of office or voted out at the end of their term. Just like anyone supporting socialism should be disqualified from holding or running for office.”
Why this score: We award Joseph Johnson a perfect 10/10 on Constitutional Fidelity & Oath of Office based on a record that, in our review, reflects an unwavering commitment to the plain text and original meaning of the Constitution. We see no daylight between his public posture and the oath itself, and until evidence emerges to the contrary, he stands as a model of the constitutional-originalist standard we grade against.
Our Take
Joseph Johnson is running as an outsider rather than a career politician, and we think that matters. He's a father of four and a small-business owner with blue-collar roots, framing his campaign around the everyday pressures Illinois families feel: high taxes, unsafe streets, and schools he says are pushing politics over academics. That kind of common-sense, accountability-first message is exactly the lane constitutional conservative voters tend to respond to.
What impressed us just as much was how he handled our questionnaire. On questions where he didn't have a firm position or wanted more information, he said so plainly rather than making things up to score well or tell us what we wanted to hear. He read the questions, answered them to the best of his ability, and on some asked for more information before committing to a full agreement. That's admirable, and it's the kind of honesty we wish we saw more often from candidates.
That said, his site doesn't spell out specific positions on the Second Amendment or the other constitutional rights we prioritize — the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Tenth. We'll want to confirm directly where he stands on the right to keep and bear arms, parental rights, and limits on Springfield's reach before we can fully vouch for him. For now, the tone and priorities are promising, and he's worth a close look by 55th District voters.
Background
Joseph Johnson is a first-time candidate running for Illinois State Representative in the 55th District. Raised in a blue-collar family in Northlake, he started working at 14, built a career in finance, and founded a consulting business. He now lives in Glenview, where he is raising his four children. Johnson describes himself as a political outsider, small-business owner, and community leader running to make Illinois more affordable and safe.
Questions & Answers
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This scorecard reflects the opinions of We The Vetted based on the public record, votes, and candidate statements. It is not a paid endorsement and is not coordinated with any campaign. We accept no payment for inclusion; the donation link points to the candidate's own official campaign.