As a resident of the Bay Area
since 1983, Cheryl E. Johnson is a courageous, energetic, experienced and
authentic leader. With over 35 years of experience in real estate,
government, tax and legislative activities, she is devoted to serving the
people of Galveston County.
A fiscal conservative advocating
lower taxes and smaller, more efficient government, she has been an advocate
for taxpayers since 1994 when she served on the Clear Creek Independent School
District Board of Trustees. Elected Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector
in 2004, she was the first Republican woman elected to a countywide seat, and
in 2008 became the highest ‘vote getter’ in a contested race in Galveston
County history, a title she has maintained through the 2012 and 2016
uncontested elections.
Johnson has served as Galveston
County “Cut Tax” Assessor/Collector with passion and commitment, participating
in efforts to bring about meaningful property tax relief over the last 22
years. She stood beside Americans for Prosperity Texas Director, Peggy Venable,
in opposition to taxpayer funded lobbying that involved the powerful, nearly
untouchable Texas Association of Counties as well as worked to change many
Texas laws that benefit Texas property owners and voters.
After Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc
across Galveston County in September 2008, with two of her offices heavily
damaged and many staff living in temporary quarters, Cheryl directed her
energies on correcting deficiencies in laws that slowed recovery and harmed
citizens after a disaster such as Ike. Her successes in Austin caught the eye
of many State leaders and in 2009, Governor Perry appointed her as the tax
assessor collector representative on the nearly created Texas Department of
Motor Vehicles Board where she served as Vice Chair in 2010 and 2011.
Whether testifying on
transportation, election, or tax legislation at the State Capitol or
entertaining groups at local events, Cheryl E. Johnson has continued to prove
her commitment to smaller, smarter government and representing the best interests
of Galveston County and Texas taxpayers. An uncompromising leader, she is a
dedicated public servant who has – and will continue to – stand boldly on
conservative values, always focused on doing what is right.
She has never wavered in her
commitment to increase service, reduce cost and fight for property
tax relief as leader of the Galveston
County Tax Office and that is clearly evidenced in the office motto, “The
race for quality has no finish line.”
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
1993 Founder and Member, Citizens
for Fiscal Responsibility in Education
1994 Appointee, State Senator J. E. Brown’s Advisory Committee on Education
1994 Director, Clear Creek Education Foundation
1994 – 1999 Board of Trustees, Clear Creek Independent School District
(Secretary 1995, President 1996, 1997).
1996 Statewide Legislative Advisory Council for the Texas Association of School
Boards
1996 Member, Federal Relationship Network of the National Association of School
Boards
1997 – 1999 Member, Board of Directors, Galveston Central Appraisal District (2
years Chair)
2000 Appointee, Galveston County
Indigent Health Care Task Force
2005 to Present Ex-Officio Member, Board of Directors, Galveston Central
Appraisal District
2007 to Present Legislative, By-Laws, Education and Security Committees, Tax
Assessor Collectors Assoc. of TX
2009 to 2013 Board Member, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board (Vice
Chair 2009-2011)
MEMBERSHIPS
Americans For Prosperity Texas
Bay Area Pachyderm
Clear Lake TEA Party
CLOUT (Citizens Lowering Our
Unfair Taxes)
Galveston Association of Realtors
Galveston County TEA Party
Galveston Island Propeller Club
Heritage Foundation
Lighthouse Charity Team
National Rifle Association
Tax Assessor Collectors
Association of Texas
Texas Association of Assessing
Officers
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
Various Chambers of Commerce
Various Republican Women’s Clubs