Congressional Catch-Up: Bethany Johnson
February 11, 2026·13 days ago·via The Loyola Phoenix

Bethany Johnson, a progressive Democrat running in Illinois's 9th Congressional District Democratic primary on March 17, 2026, shares her story in The Loyola Phoenix interview. Born in rural Missouri as "Buster Johnson," she transitioned amid family rejection and job loss, eventually finding community in Chicago's drag scene. Now married and community-engaged, she steps up after Rep. Jan Schakowsky's retirement, touting fights for LGBTQ+ rights in red Missouri and a 2018 Senate win in Maine.
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