Jefferson Co. Democrats Select Lanae Johnson as Democrat of the Year

Lanae Johnson, a retired Lt. Colonel and civic volunteer, has been selected as the 2023 Jefferson County Democrat of the Year.

“Lanae deserves this honor not only for her commitment to our core Democratic principles, but also due to her involvement in a variety of civic organizations and causes,” said Leigh Koonce, Chairman of the Jefferson County Democrats.  “We’re lucky to have Lanae and her energy on our side.”

Johnson was the Democratic nominee for the Kabletown District seat on the Jefferson County Commission in 2020, becoming the first African-American to be nominated for a countywide office. 

Since that election, she has devoted her time to rechartering the Democratic Women’s Club in Jefferson County and has continued her activism and leadership with the Jefferson County NAACP, the VFW, the Jefferson County League of Women Voters, and other groups.

Johnson will be honored in Charleston later this month with fellow Democrats of the Year from all 55 West Virginia Counties.