Monika Johnson-Hostler

Monika Johnson‑Hostler is the incumbent Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 33, a seat she has held since she was sworn in on January 1, 2025 and will seek re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election ¹³¹⁴. The North Carolina House comprises 120 members who serve two‑year terms and is responsible for crafting state law, approving the budget, and overseeing the executive branch ¹⁵.

A native of Thomasville, North Carolina, Johnson‑Hostler earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Fayetteville State University and a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University ¹⁶. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, Bobby, and their daughter, Gabrielle ¹.

Before entering the legislature, she spent more than two decades as the executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCC ASA), leading statewide advocacy on survivor rights, human trafficking, and domestic violence policy ¹¹⁹²⁰. Simultaneously, she served on the Wake County Board of Education from 2013 until her election to the House in 2024, where she chaired initiatives that raised teacher pay, expanded pre‑K programs, and increased support staff for students ⁶⁹¹⁹. Her public‑service record also includes participation on national advisory committees for former President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder, contributing to the re‑authorization of the Violence Against Women Act ⁷¹⁹.

In the General Assembly, Johnson‑Hostler has introduced a range of legislation reflecting her policy priorities. Notable bills include HB 31, which would make Election Day a state holiday; HB 168, the North Carolina CROWN Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural hair; and HB 115, a child‑care facility tax exemption ⁴. She has also sponsored measures supporting veterans, affordable housing, and tax relief for working families ⁴. Her legislative work earned her the inaugural Attorney General’s Dogwood Award for advancing comprehensive child‑sexual‑abuse legislation and establishing the state’s first Human Trafficking Task Force ¹⁹²⁰.

Johnson‑Hostler’s campaign platform emphasizes fully funded public education, affordable housing, and protecting voting rights through measures such as a non‑partisan redistricting commission ¹⁹²⁰. She advocates for living‑wage policies, expanded child‑care credits, and continued investment in early‑learning programs. These priorities align with her long‑standing community involvement, including service on the PTA at North Ridge Elementary, leadership in the Emerging Young Leaders Program for middle‑school girls, and troop leadership with the Pines of the Carolinas Girl Scouts ¹.

In her 2024 race, Johnson‑Hostler won the general election with 80.2 % of the vote, defeating Libertarian challenger Chris Costello, and she ran unopposed in the Democratic primary after it was canceled ¹. She now seeks a second term to continue advancing the issues she has championed throughout her career.

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