Mayor Johnston has owned and operated a retail business in Stockton since1981 and has been actively involved in the community as both an elected official and a community volunteer.

She served as a City Councilmember from 1995 to 2002, helping initiate the current redevelopment of the downtown and waterfront area as well as the beginning of major initiatives to address neighborhood crime. From 1979 to 1992 Mayor Johnston served as a Lodi Unified School District Board Member and worked to build 13 new schools in North Stockton during that period of rapid enrollment growth. Her community involvement began in 1977 with her election as President of the Elkhorn School Parent Teacher Association.

Mayor Johnston is a member of the Stockton Women’s Network, Downtown Stockton Rotary, League of Women Voters, and the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce.  She has received the Susan B. Anthony Woman of Achievement Award, the Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Award, the ABC (Action on Behalf of Children) Award, and the Small Business Person of the Year Award.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences and a Secondary Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University. Mayor Johnston also served as a Peace Corps volunteer who taught English as a Second Language in Iran.

Mayor Johnston’s goals are to rid Stockton of criminal activity, gangs, and neighborhood blight; finish the downtown and waterfront redevelopment; bring in new business with high-paying jobs and good benefits; and work with our local school districts to improve literacy and graduation rates.