Natasha Johnson

Assemblywoman Natasha Johnson (R-Lake Elsinore) represents California's 63rd Assembly District, which encompasses Norco, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, and parts of Eastvale, Riverside, and Corona in Riverside County ^[1,2]. A 26-year banking professional, small business supporter, and three-time Mayor of Lake Elsinore, Johnson won a special election in August 2025 and was sworn into office on September 8, 2025, bringing a results-driven record of local leadership to Sacramento ^[2,3]. With a 94% CFC Biblical Values Scorecard rating, Johnson has been one of the Legislature's most consistent champions of the values the California Family Council defends. CFC has specifically highlighted her authorship of AB 2073, which expands California's Safe Surrender laws to include regulated baby box devices at designated sites — a life-affirming measure that directly advances CFC's framework on protecting the most vulnerable (Chapter 6) and supporting alternatives to abortion (Chapter 10) — the sanctity of life (Chapter 6), parental authority in education (Chapter 8), religious liberty (Chapter 9), and limited, family-centered governance (Chapter 11).

Natasha Johnson was raised in a military family that moved frequently, an upbringing she credits with instilling a deep appreciation for service, resilience, and adaptability ^[4]. After years of transition, she chose to put down roots in Lake Elsinore, where she and her husband Scott built a life, raised their three sons, and committed themselves to community service ^[4,5]. Johnson's professional career spans more than 26 years in the banking industry, including roles as a Customer Service Manager at Downey Springs from 1999 to 2007, Branch Manager at USA Federal Credit Union from 2007 to 2014, and Marketing Liaison at Navy Federal Credit Union from 2007 to the present ^[1,6].

Johnson's public service career began in 2012, when she was elected to the Lake Elsinore City Council. Over more than a decade of service, she was appointed Mayor three times and served as Mayor Pro Tem three additional times ^[1,2,4]. During her tenure, her leadership helped grow the local economy, attract new businesses, and strengthen public safety in the community ^[4]. In 2018, she joined a unanimous city council vote expressing opposition to SB 54, California's sanctuary state law that restricts state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agencies ^[7].

Johnson's path to the California State Assembly came through a 2025 special election. The seat was vacated when Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli resigned on April 1, 2025, after being appointed U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California by the Trump administration ^[2,3]. Essayli endorsed Johnson the day after his resignation, and she quickly amassed support from the Riverside County Republican establishment, including Sheriff Chad Bianco, District Attorney Mike Hestrin, and U.S. Representative Ken Calvert (R-Corona) ^[3,5]. In the June 24, 2025 special primary, Johnson led a four-candidate field with 46.2 percent of the vote, advancing to the general election alongside Democrat Chris Shoults, a Menifee teacher ^[1,2].

Her 95.7% Biblical Values Scorecard rating across 23 scored floor votes demonstrates strong alignment with CFC's worldview framework, reflecting consistent support for the sanctity of human life, parental authority in education, and religious liberty protections.

Johnson was sworn into office on September 8, 2025, with Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher administering the oath of office as her husband Scott and son Austin looked on at the State Capitol ^[3,8]. In her remarks, she pledged to be a common-sense voice for Riverside County, stating she is committed to lowering the cost of living, protecting parents' rights, and making sure law enforcement officers have the resources they need ^[3,8]. In the Assembly, Johnson serves as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee and as a member of the Business and Professions, Elections, Health, and Local Government standing committees, as well as the Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services ^[9].