Theodore R. Johnson
Northern Virginia
Contributing columnist
Education: Hampton University, BS in mathematics; Harvard University, ALM with a concentration in international relations; Northeastern University, doctorate of law and policy
Theodore (Ted) R. Johnson, a contributing columnist for The Washington Post, a scholar on race and democracy, and a retired naval officer. His forthcoming book, "If We Are Brave", will be published in October. His research and writing primarily explore the role that race plays in electoral politics and democratic culture, and its influence on the national narrative and the American identity. Johnson is a retired U.S. Navy Commander following a two-decade career that included service as a White House fellow and speechwriter to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Following his military career, he's spent time at Deloitte and the think tanks New America and the Brennan Center for Justice. His first book, "When the Stars Begin to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renewing the Promise of America,” was published in 2021. A native of North Carolina, Johnson is a proud HBCU graduate, holding a BS in mathematics from Hampton University as well as an ALM from Harvard University and a Doctor of Law and Policy from Northeastern University.