Thomas Johnson for US Senate

1. Tell us a little about yourself, including the position you are running for and what are your qualifications for the position you are seeking.

I am Thomas Johnson, and I am running for United States Senate in North Carolina's 2026 Republican primary.

My story is one of overcoming. I was born into foster care and adopted at age five, arriving in my new home with a stutter, undernourished, and filled with fear. Through my mother's prayers and my own determination, I rose from those circumstances to graduate as class valedictorian, beating out the prom king, cheerleading captain, and football star who all wanted that honor.

I went on to the United States Air Force Academy, where I made both the Dean's List and Commandant's List. After graduation, the CIA recruited me to study space commercialization and build intelligence satellites at the National Reconnaissance Office. I escaped certain death at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, by mere minutes.

My qualifications span military service, intelligence work, and business leadership. I built Agile Immersive, a multimillion-dollar strategy consulting firm serving Fortune 500 clients including T-Mobile, MetLife, and FedEx. I am an internationally recognized expert in organizational transformation, serving as a visiting lecturer at Goethe Graduate School of Business in Frankfurt, Germany. I understand how large systems work—and how to fix them when they don't.

North Carolina needs a Senator who has overcome real adversity, who understands both national security and kitchen-table economics, and who will fight for working families. That's exactly what I bring.

2. If you are an incumbent, what have been your greatest accomplishments for the community while in office? If you are not an incumbent, what inspired you to run for this office and what changes would you make?

While I have not previously held elected office, my greatest accomplishments for the community include my work improving foster care outcomes across all 100 North Carolina counties through Agape of North Carolina. As someone who grew up in the foster system, this cause is deeply personal. I've invested significant time and consulting expertise to strengthen the support systems for vulnerable children.

I serve on the Board of Directors for Main Street Alliance, advocating for small businesses nationwide, and Entrepreneurs in Christ (EPIC), helping Christian business owners succeed and give back. I also host an annual charity car rally called "The 007 Rally," raising funds for the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation to honor intelligence officers who gave their lives for our country.

What inspired me to run is simple: I see North Carolina families struggling. I see mothers doing math at the grocery store, choosing between milk and medicine. I see fathers filling up their trucks and watching their paychecks drain away. I see families working harder than ever and falling further behind.

The changes I would make center on what I call "Groceries & Gas We Can Afford"—a comprehensive plan to drive down the costs crushing working families. This includes extending tax deductions for grocery store energy efficiency, eliminating regulatory bottlenecks that inflate freight costs, and modernizing gasoline infrastructure to bring relief at the pump. Washington needs an overcomer who understands both boardrooms and kitchen tables.

3. Please name 3 goals you would work to complete during your term if elected.

Goal 1: Religious Freedom

I have already contacted Senators Grassley, Lee, Schmidt, Langford and Hawley to extend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) so that what happened during COVID in 2020-1 will NEVER happen again. Houses of worship will stay open in crisis. We need God and must be able to turn to Him in times of emergency.

Goal 2: Deregulate Freight Bottlenecks and Modernize Transportation Infrastructure

Thirty percent of what you pay for groceries goes to freight costs. I will work to eliminate outdated DOT fees, support expansion of critical infrastructure like the Colonial Pipeline, and advance autonomous freight corridors to reduce shipping costs. This isn't about ideology—it's about making the supply chain work for families, not against them.

Goal 3: Modernize Gasoline Infrastructure for Immediate Price Relief

I will advocate for strategic use of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to stabilize prices, reform the Renewable Fuel Standard to reduce blending costs, and invest in refining capacity and pipeline infrastructure. North Carolinians pay above-average gas taxes; they deserve a Senator fighting to offset those costs through smarter federal policy. My target is reducing gas prices by $1.30–$1.90 per gallon through coordinated federal action.