In 2009, Tharon Johnson gave himself five years to assume a position in which he could serve his community — and the Democratic Party — in a substantial way. It took only two years.
This summer, the political strategist was tapped to serve as the national southern regional director for President Barack Obama’s re-election bid.
It’s a key role, one the Athens native began grooming himself for at the tender age of 4, though a “keen interest” in politics didn’t surface until he was 12. His mother, Martha Nunnally, was politically active.
“I vividly remember her taking me to the polls with her during elections and always taking me to different school board meetings and county commissioner meetings,” Johnson told me. “My first introduction to politics was at 4 years old, when Michael Thurmond was running for state representative. I waved signs and wore an ‘I like Mike’ T-shirt.”
Johnson’s resume in the state political arena impresses. He was campaign manager for mayoral candidate Kasim Reed and, after the former senator’s successful election, became his senior adviser. He managed the 2008 re-election campaign of Congressman John Lewis. He served as political and field director for Congressman John Barrow’s 2004 campaign and his 2006 re-election bid. He also was Barrow’s deputy chief of staff and, in 2002, was campaign manager for state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond’s re-election bid.
Thurmond, another Athens native, recalled an “extremely precocious, observant, perceptive and quiet” youngster.
“He was totally consumed by politics,” he said. “It was amazing, and to see him evolve and develop into the professional he is is absolutely amazing. His new appointment is huge and from a political perspective, the [presidential race] will probably be determined by whether the president can win Florida, North Carolina and maybe Virginia. Tharon’s district is huge geographically, but it is even bigger politically.”
In political circles, Johnson is known as a low-key, cautious operative, big on grass-roots strategy. Seldom does he take anything for granted.
“He’s demonstrated the critical ability to build the field infrastructure and the multiracial voting coalitions necessary to get voters to the polls,” Rep. Stacey Abrams, D-Atlanta, the Georgia House minority leader, wrote in an email. “These are the key elements for an Obama victory in 2012.”
Johnson will be based out of Chicago, headquarters for the Obama For America campaign, during the election cycle. He’ll work with 11 state directors in the south, including Georgia’s. Obama did not win Georgia in 2008.
In high school, Johnson played free safety and strong safety for legendary coach Billy Henderson at Clarke Central. He suited up for three seasons at Clark Atlanta University, his alma mater, and had aspirations of being the next Deion Sanders. His mother had wanted him to become a lawyer, start a firm in Athens and serve the poor.
“I didn’t go exactly that route,” Johnson said, “but I am still helping constituents in need and engaging underserved communities.”
Said Johnson: “The South is going to be important to us.”
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