Tharon Johnson

During his career, Tharon Johnson has served at senior levels of federal, state, and local campaigns and advised members of Congress, leaders in state government, the mayor of one of the largest cities in the nation, and a presidential campaign.

Tharon served as the National Southern Regional Director for the 2012 Obama For America campaign, leading the presidential re-election campaign efforts for 11 southern states, including two key battleground states, Florida and North Carolina.

Tharon has broad public sector experience, including serving as Senior Advisor to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed in his administration. Previously, he had served as Senior Strategist and Campaign Manager for Reed’s bid for Mayor of Atlanta in 2009. In recognition of his work on Reed’s campaign, the American Association of Political Consultants named Tharon 2010 Campaign Manager of the Year, making him the youngest and first African-American ever to receive the distinction. Following his time in government, he advised private sector clients on their public policy strategies as a partner at a leading government affairs firm.

Since 2001, Tharon has spearheaded successful campaigns for such notable officials as Congressman John Lewis, Congressman John Barrow, and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. He went on to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Barrow and as District Director for Congressman Lewis. Tharon’s record includes these victories, as well as numerous other elections for candidates for U.S. Congress, judge, Georgia General Assembly, county commission, city council, sheriff, and school board.

In 2012, Tharon was honored by Georgia Trend magazine as a recipient of their “40 under 40 Award,” recognizing Georgia’s Best and Brightest, and by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as a recipient of their “40 under 40, Atlanta’s Rising Business and Community Leaders Award.” James Magazine named Mr. Johnson one of the top 25 most influential Georgians. Additionally, Politics Magazine named Tharon among the Top 10 Democrats in Georgia, and he was the only African-American to be named a Campaigns & Elections 2010 Rising Star. In addition to his political honors, he was awarded the Unsung Hero award by his alma mater Clark Atlanta University.

Tharon is frequently quoted in Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution Political Insider, Politico, Roll Call, The Hill, and other publications. He regularly appears as a key contributor on several news channels and television shows, including Fox 5’s “Georgia Gang,” WABE’s “Political Breakfast” podcast, CNN, MSNBC, WSB-TV 2, and Georgia Public Broadcasting’s “Political Rewind” to provide insights and analysis of political developments at the national, state and local levels.