Johnson cites integrity, transparency in bid for Liberty County treasurer

Republican candidate Jackie Johnson says her decision to run for Liberty County treasurer comes from a lifelong commitment to public service — and a desire to keep serving even after retirement.

Born in Dayton and raised in Hull-Daisetta, Johnson graduated from Hull-Daisetta High School before briefly attending college and returning home to begin her career with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher. But as much as she valued the role, Johnson felt called to serve in a different capacity.

“It was evident to me that I didn’t want to be behind a phone. I wanted to be out there helping,” Johnson said.

After two years, she attended a basic reserve academy and later worked for the Dayton Police Department as both a reserve officer and dispatcher. A former coworker eventually told her about an opportunity at the Humble Police Department — a move that would shape the rest of her career. Johnson spent 34 years and one month there before retiring in October 2023.

She started in Humble as a dispatcher, attending the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy at night while working during the day. In 1992, she became a patrol officer and spent 11 years on the street before being promoted to detective in 2003. Along the way, she wore many hats — crime scene officer, School Resource Officer, detective and polygraph examiner. She described polygraph school as one of the hardest things she had ever done, saying the 10-week course felt like “two semesters of college crammed into 10 weeks.”

For 17 years, Johnson worked cases involving children as victims, from runaway investigations to capital murder. The work required careful documentation, evidence collection and detailed reporting. She said those years taught her the importance of precision, accountability and discretion.

After retiring, Johnson moved back to Hardin and began paying closer attention to what was happening in Liberty County. She said that through conversations with county employees and watching local issues unfold, she felt called to step forward. Others encouraged her to consider the treasurer’s position, and she agreed.

Johnson believes the county treasurer’s primary responsibility is safeguarding taxpayer money and ensuring transparency in how funds are managed. In Liberty County, the office also oversees human resources, which includes working with employees on policies, benefits and compliance with state law.

She sees clear parallels between that role and her law enforcement career. As a detective, she worked closely with district attorneys, judges and other agencies. In the treasurer’s office, she would collaborate with the county judge, commissioners court, auditor and purchasing agent — something she says she is well prepared to do.

When it comes to financial responsibility, Johnson emphasizes accuracy and accountability. She supports cross-training employees so reports and procedures can be reviewed by more than one person, reducing the chance of errors. She also plans to evaluate current operations before proposing changes, looking for ways to improve efficiency and service to residents.

With Liberty County experiencing rapid growth, Johnson said she anticipates the treasurer’s office will grow as well. More residents mean more revenue and greater responsibility. She said that growth makes trustworthiness in the office more important than ever.

Johnson also stressed fairness in managing human resources. Applying policies consistently across departments, she said, helps build morale and trust.

“I will not ever play favorites,” she said, adding that employees may not always like the answer, but they should know the rules apply equally to everyone.

If elected, Johnson said she hopes people would describe her leadership as fair, trustworthy and honest.

After more than three decades in law enforcement, Johnson admitted retirement didn’t fully suit her.

“Baking wasn’t enough for me,” she said with a smile. “I still want to help people.”

To hear the full episode of Headlines and Heartlines featuring Jackie Johnson, click the link below: