PLAINS, Ga. – Twenty-five years ago, Wayne Johnson traveled to Plains to talk with former President Jimmy Carter about building a bio-diesel plant in Sumter County. It was the beginning of a long-time, personal relationship between Johnson and the 39th President of the United States.

In fact, Johnson and President Carter met for several years running on their birthdays to share birthday cakes together.

Johnson agreed to make a $4 million investment in Plains and bought 60 acres from President Carter’s brother-in-law. He also built a 25,000 square foot production facility and a 4,000 square foot office building.

“We have been friends ever since,” said Johnson.

The bio-diesel plant did not materialize, but Johnson retains the property to this day and is now using the production facility to manufacture ready-built homes than can be shipped across the country. Also, Johnson farms paulownia trees on the property, and it was President Carter who introduced him to the value of paulownia trees.

Johnson will faceoff with 32-year incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop in the November General Election for voters in Columbus, Albany, Columbus and all 30 counties in the 2nd District, which includes Sumter. The Johnson Campaign believes the pain caused by President Joe Biden and Sanford Bishop due to high prices will bring voters to Wayne Johnson because of his 40 years in business and the empathy he has demonstrated for what citizens of the 2nd District have been forced to go through. That is why a change will be good for these hurting people.

Johnson has supported the annual Peanut Festival for years, and his campaign will be a sponsor at this year’s festival on Sept. 28. Please look for Johnson and his wrapped campaign trucks in this year’s parade.

Johnson last spent time with President Carter two years ago. The 99-year-old former President has been in failing health for the past decade but, like President Carter’s family and friends, Johnson believes President Carter has one more hill to climb.

“He’s going to make it to100!” Johnson said. President Carter will turn 100 on Oct. 1. “Hopefully, President Carter will give me his vote.”

Johnson said President Carter is a brilliant man, having been an exceptional peanut farmer/businessman as well as an engineer and with his background in the Navy as a nuclear submariner. Johnson said President Carter loved the process of planning a significant project alongside of him, especially those involving chemical engineering. President Carter told Johnson that a high-quality process leads to high-quality results.

“One very memorable time, President Carter said to me, ‘Wayne, you know what I like about you? You give a damn,’” said Johnson of the best compliment he has ever received. “That is the way I feel about every citizen I want to represent in Congress. I give a damn, something I do not think Sanford Bishop can say these days.”

Johnson said that President Carter knew how to use the power of his voice after he left office, and he used it across the world’s greatest humanitarians.

“President Carter was always approachable, and he approached every encounter as an opportunity to have genuine engagement,” said Johnson, “and he knew how to use the influence he had. He used it well.

“This is a powerful lesson I learned from President Carter and one which I will use on behalf of Georgians when I am in Congress.”