House District 5 taught me what $100 is really worth

By Johnnie W. Johnson | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Just when I thought the Denver Republican Party had forgotten about its local candidates, something happened that genuinely surprised me.

I received a text from Tom Riggs, vice chair of the Denver GOP, informing me of a $100 contribution to my campaign.

One hundred dollars!

Now, that might not sound like much to candidates with thousands of dollars in their campaign accounts, but to someone running in Denver’s House District 5, it means something.

It means somebody is paying attention.

The first time I ran for office, I received no financial support from the local Republican Party. During my second campaign, Dave helped make sure we received $300. And now, this unexpected $100 contribution gives me another reason to keep going.

Running as a Republican in central Denver isn’t exactly the easiest political assignment in Colorado.

During my 2024 campaign, I received approximately 8,000 votes. That tells me there are thousands of people in this district willing to consider a different political direction.

But here’s the challenge: Votes alone don’t pay for campaign materials, outreach, advertising, or the everyday expenses of getting a message to the community.

So far, I’ve personally contributed $525 to my campaign. Lorance has contributed $104, and another supporter, whose name I won’t publish, contributed $26.

That’s $655 from those three sources, before counting the Denver GOP’s recent $100 contribution.

I’m grateful for every dollar.

And I keep thinking about those approximately 8,000 people who voted for me in 2024. What could a grassroots campaign accomplish if more of those voters became involved, volunteered, or shared our message?

But this story isn’t just about money.

It’s about representation and remembering the people who make public service possible.

Years ago, I was organizing a free Christian concert at La Alma-Lincoln Park, located at 1325 W. 11th Ave. in Denver.

While working on that community event, I met a woman who had served in the Colorado House of Representatives. She handed me her business card and encouraged me to call her.

I did.

Unfortunately, I never received a return call.

That experience stayed with me.

Not because I expected special treatment, but because when someone takes the time to reach out, I believe they deserve the courtesy of a response.

So, here’s my promise to the people of House District 5: If you call me, I will do my best to return your call.

Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, independent, or someone who has given up on politics altogether, your voice matters.

I know what it means to work hard, overcome obstacles, and keep going when the odds aren’t in your favor.

As a blind community advocate, musician, broadcaster, and president of Innervision, a Denver nonprofit serving blind and disabled artists, I’ve spent decades working to create opportunities for people who are too often overlooked.

I bring that same determination to politics.

I don’t have a giant campaign war chest. I don’t have a powerful political machine behind me.

What I do have is persistence, a commitment to my community, and the belief that voters deserve representatives who listen.

So, to Tom Riggs and the Denver Republican Party, thank you for the unexpected encouragement.

And to everyone in House District 5, remember this: Political participation doesn’t begin and end at the ballot box. It begins with neighbors talking to neighbors, asking questions, holding candidates accountable, and making their voices heard.

Sometimes, even a $100 contribution can remind a candidate why the fight is worth continuing.

Johnnie W. Johnson is the Republican candidate in Colorado House District 5. He is president of Innervision, a Denver nonprofit serving blind and disabled artists, and station manager of Innervision FM, which teaches the business of music and radio broadcasting for the blind community and beyond.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.