Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson is a Democratic politician serving as the Davidson County Register of Deeds in Tennessee [1]. She assumed office in 2018 and her current term ends on September 1, 2026 [1]. Johnson is running for re-election in the Democratic primary for this position on May 5, 2026 [1]. She previously served as a member of the Nashville Metro Council representing District 29 from 2011 to 2018 [1]. During her time on the council, she was unanimously elected Council President Pro Tempore and helped lead major projects including Cane Ridge High School and Smith Springs Elementary [8]. She also served as a School Board Member [8].

Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in business from Tennessee State University and an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University [1]. Her professional background includes work in human resources with Mercy Health Services, the State of Tennessee, Hospital Corporation of America, and Shoney's Inc [1]. In 2019, she was designated as a certified public administrator by the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service CTAS [1]. She later became a Certified Public Manager through the same institute in 2022 [1]. Additionally, Johnson is a 2025 graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executives in State and Local Government program [8].

As Register of Deeds, Johnson has implemented several innovations, including one of Tennessee’s first Register of Deeds mobile apps and a Property Alert system designed to protect homeowners from fraud [8]. Her office is preparing to launch Real ID and passport services for residents in early 2026 [8]. Under her leadership, the office was named a Best Place to Work by the Nashville Business Journal in 2021, 2024, and 2025 [8]. Johnson made history as the first woman and first African American elected to the Register of Deeds office [8].

Johnson has received numerous awards, including recognition as a Nashville Business Journal Woman of Influence, The Tennessean 40 Under 40, and TSU Woman of Legend and Merit in Government [8]. She is a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club of Nashville and serves on the boards of Sister Cities of Nashville and Historic Fort Negley [8]. She lives in Nashville with her husband, David, and their three sons [8].

Sources

• [1] Karen Johnson (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia
• [2] Karen Johnson (Washington) - Ballotpedia
• [3] Karen Johnson - Ballotpedia
• [4] Karen Johnson (Crystal Lake Park District Commissioner Board At-large, Illinois, candidate 2025) - Ballotpedia
• [5] Karen Johnson (Lockport Township Trustee Board At-large (Will County), Illinois, candidate 2025) - Ballotpedia
• [6] Karen Johnson (Town of Alex Board of Trustees, Oklahoma, candidate 2023) - Ballotpedia
• [7] Kevin Raye - Ballotpedia
• [8] Karen Johnson | Nashville.gov
• [9] Davidson County Register of Deeds Karen Johnson Completes Rotary Leadership Institute Program, Recognized as Paul Harris Fellow | Nashville.gov
• [10] Davidson County Register of Deeds | Nashville.gov
• [11] Register of Deeds Karen Johnson Selected to Attend Prestigious Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program | Nashville.gov
• [12] KAREN JOHNSON FOR CONGRESS - committee overview - FEC.gov