Shirley Johnson
Candidate for State Senator, 17th District
Background
- Occupation
- Consultant
- Lives in
- Cary
Cary consultant with Revived Life Coaching & Consulting who previously worked more than a decade for the Illinois State Senate in appropriations, press and constituent outreach roles. Her background includes human and social services work with children and families experiencing trauma.
Photo: Campaign photo — INDY Week 2026 primary questionnaire
Documented positions
Education
Supports school choice scholarships to spur accountability.
ReportN.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
“Scholarship-based options give parents greater control, promote competition, and incentivize schools to raise academic standards”
Supports teacher raises funded by cutting waste, not taxes.
ReportN.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
“addressing teacher pay does not require raising taxes”
Housing
Supports state limits on restrictive local zoning.
ReportN.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
“I support the General Assembly's efforts to address North Carolina's housing shortage by placing reasonable limits on overly restrictive local zoning policies.”
Health & human services
Supports stronger abortion restrictions than the 12-week law.
She said there are "rare and serious extenuating circumstances" where difficult decisions must be made.
ReportN.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
“North Carolina's 12-week abortion limit is an important step toward protecting life, but it does not go far enough.”
Supports Medicaid work programs and anti-fraud efforts.
ReportN.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
“we should expand and modernize work-support initiatives, including the Work First program”
Government & transparency
Opposes independent redistricting commissions.
ReportN.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
“I believe the legislature should retain primary authority over redistricting.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Shirley Johnson on them.
- Economy & jobsNo documented position found.
All sources (4)
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Wake County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- November 3, 2026 General Election Sample Ballot Key & Combined Sample Ballots (Wake County)
Election filing · Wake County Board of Elections · s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com
- N.C. Senate District 17: Shirley Johnson (2026 primary candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · INDY Week · Feb 6, 2026 · indyweek.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.