Contributed

After months of speculation, Joyful “Joy” Johns has officially thrown her hat in the Republican Primary for State Representative from House District 81. The district is comprised of parts of Tallapoosa, Coosa, and Chilton Counties.

“It has always been a dream of mine to be elected to an office where I can help people,” Johns said. “As an insurance agent I help people every day with their insurance needs, and I want to take my 15 years of experience to Montgomery to help the people of District 81 with their needs.”

A homegrown product, Johns graduated from Benjamin Russell High School and went on to receive a Bachelors of Science degree in Communications with double minor degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration when she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Troy State University.

Locals might remember Joy on WZLM, Z-97, as an on air talent who later served as news director.

“My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me, and I put that hard work to use by bringing news and sports to the people of the region on the radio,” she said. “I wasn’t afraid of any job. I waited tables and cleaned houses to help put myself through college all while maintaining the highest grade point average in the College of Communications. “

As the next State Representative from House District 81, Johns is a conservative who wants to listen to constituents first. She said, “My goal in Montgomery is to shepherd my constituents’ needs through the state legislative process. My campaign is not about promises – it is about listening and giving people a voice. Most politicians spend their time telling people what they think they want as opposed to listening to what they need. I want people to know that they have a choice when it comes to their representative. We can choose to do better together.”

Johns is a member of Hillabee Baptist Church, the Tallapoosa County GOP, Tallapoosa County Farmers’ Federation, Dadeville Chamber of Commerce, Camp Fire Mom, and regularly attends mass with her husband at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. She is married and has one daughter. She is an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoys spending time trading at estate and yard sales giving new life to past treasures.