A Tough District

When Bryan Johnston, former Salem House Democrat, was asked about the possibility he will be filing to run for CD-5, he said that he’s “flattered that there are rumors , but I haven’t formed any position on it yet.”

“I’m going to think about it because I think it’s important for there to be good representation,” said Johnston.

Johnston notes that it was a tough district, not only because it’s been closely contested in the past, but because of the personal toll it takes on its legislators.

“I don’t think there is a single marriage that has survived that district,” he said.

Johnston, who ran a close race with State Senator Jackie Winters in 2002, said that the past experience will not influence his decision.

“In 2002, the mood in the country was that George Bush was doing the right thing, that Republicans had a good grasp of where they were going, it was a good year to run as a Republican. I think 2008 will be a good year to run as a Democrat,” he said.