Nacogdoches Mayor Randy Johnson has announced that he will seek re-election in the upcoming city elections in May. Johnson, who is completing his first term as mayor, has served in that position since 2023.
“I feel there is more optimism, more confidence and more trust in where we are going as a city than I have seen in a long, long time,” said Johnson. “There are many reasons for that and a lot we can do to build on what has been accomplished. I want to continue to help lead us in that direction in the months and years ahead.”
Under Johnson’s leadership, the City has made changes in several key management and staff positions including city manager and city attorney and in numerous city departments including police and fire. Johnson says staff is becoming a real strength for the City.
“We have worked hard to make sure we have the best city staff we can afford,” Johnson said. “That includes retaining the best people we already have and, in some cases, bringing in talented and proven people to make us stronger.”
Johnson also counts economic development successes in the past two years as a sign of confidence in the community. “I think when companies, whether industrial or retail, look at a community and see residents strongly support a bond election to improve infrastructure, they see us as a community they want to be a part of,” said Johnson. “That’s the reason we are seeing employers coming our way, investing in our city and becoming tax paying contributors to Nacogdoches. It’s also the reason we, as a city, have been able to develop public/private partnerships and receive private financial support. A good example is the Massey Foundation contribution from Troy and Abby Massey to completely renovate the Nacogdoches Youth Baseball Association concession stands and restrooms on City property.”
Johnson is also determined to continue to take on what he sees as challenges that face the city. That includes his on-going concern with sales tax that is not currently available to the city.
Johnson, who was born and raised in Nacogdoches, is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a third-generation owner of Johnson Furniture, a downtown business established by his grandfather in 1959. Prior to serving as mayor, he previously served as a member of the city council and as a long-time member and president of the NISD school board.
Johnson has long been active in downtown and the community. He and his wife, Brenda, have two children and four grandchildren. Election day in the city is May 3.