Sarah Ebeling | Writer
Although this year’s election year looks a little different than elections in past years, candidates still want voters to know about them and what they have to offer.
Crystal Johnson is no different. The married mother of three is running for Minnehaha County States Attorney and will be on next month’s ballot.
Johnson, who graduated from law school in 2002, went into private practice out of state before being hired in November 2004 by Dave Nelson as a deputy states attorney.
“In 2005 I enjoyed working with law enforcement,” she said.
Johnson laughed saying that at the time, she really like saying Crystal Nesheim for the state.
After serving for a deputy states attorney for over 10 years, in 2015 Johnson applied and was hired to be a magistrate judge. During her three years as a judge Johnson said she saw a lot of people.
“I enjoyed interacting with people. I enjoyed seeing both sides of people’s cases,” she said.
But, by February of 2018, Johnson started to feel like her calling wasn’t to be a judge. And so, she went back to the office that has been “home” to her for so many years.
“My last five years as a deputy states attorney, I did a lot of kid cases, meaning kids are the victims of crimes. As off as it might sound, I really enjoy working with kids. I say it is off because these kids come to me and have had really bad things happen to them,” she said.
Johnson explained that she was the one working with kids who had been physically or sexually abused and getting them ready for court.
“It is my calling because these kids, who were supposed to be loved and care for, were abused by those who were supposed to love them,” she said.
She noted that most of the kids she works with are little girls who have been abused. “I think it is important that they see a strong and empowered woman fighting for them,” Johnson said.
And because of all of this, running for states attorney was the natural progression she said.
“This office is my home. I started when I was 28-years-old. I’ve grown up with this office and I’ve always been a natural leader,” said Johnson.
She said that she has always been the one that people come to when there is an issue or concern and that she has worked with law enforcement through her whole career.
“So this feels like the next natural step,” said Johnson.
Johnson, who is currently serving as the acting states attorney, was hired in January to take over after she had been appointed to the position after the previous states attorney, Aaron McGowen, resigned.
She noted that she currently oversees a staff of 59.
“The hardest part is not just an administrator, it is balancing the administrative work along with 300 cases,” she said.
For Johnson, leading by example is important to her. That is why, she said, besides being the administrator, she has a full case load and regularly appears in court.
On March 1 Johnson announced her candidacy and will be on the Tuesday, June 2 Republican primary.
“This isn’t a step for me, this is my career,” she said. “Ideally, this is where I want to retire from some day.”
Although there are no democrats running for the position, there are two other republicans, Daniel Hager and Paul Bangford.