Exclusive: Mike Hager Enters Republican Primary Against Incumbent State Rep. Jake Johnson

Former North Carolina House Majority Leader Mike Hager exclusively confirmed to WCAB News that he is running to reclaim a seat in the state legislature, challenging incumbent Jake Johnson in the Republican primary for House District 113. Hager has filed a campaign committee, which allows him to organize fundraising and campaign activities ahead of the official filing period in December.

Hager served in the state legislature before resigning in 2016 to care for his aging parents. Speaking with WCAB News, he described returning to public service as a response to what he sees as a lack of attention to local issues. He also served on the Rutherford County School Board briefly post-legislature. 

“I feel like nobody cares again,” Hager said. “We’re having to close schools. City taxes in four cities got raised. People are struggling in Rutherford County. We don’t have the job base we should have. I just feel like nobody’s representing the average worker anymore.”

Hager highlighted his work in Lake Lure after major storm damage, including a personal account of navigating dangerous terrain to organize a project meeting that accelerated repairs. “I went up there by myself above Chimney Rock,” he recalled. “I stepped on a rock, fell about 75 feet into the water, broke a rib and two toes, and still made it to the meeting on time. I put a coat on, went in, and led the discussion. That meeting got everybody in the same room, and it sped up road repairs and debris removal faster than what would have happened otherwise.”

He described this hands-on approach as part of his broader vision for representing the district: “I’ve always cared about our communities. I love this county. My actions reflect that. From school boards to local recovery efforts, I’ve been involved because I want to see things done for the people who live here.”

Hager also criticized current legislative leadership, emphasizing concerns about public safety, mental health, and judicial processing. “We’ve cut mental health since 2016, year after year,” he said. “Sheriffs and district attorneys tell me mental health is the number one issue they face. If we don’t invest here, we’re going to keep seeing the same problems—crime, school closures, and underfunded services.”

The district covers two-thirds of Rutherford County, all of Polk County, about a third of Henderson County, and two precincts in McDowell County. Hager plans to leverage his experience in local government, lobbying, and community organization to mount a competitive campaign.

As the incumbent, Jake Johnson enters the upcoming election with a well-documented record of leadership and a reputation for conservative fiscal management. His tenure in public service reflects a focus on economic growth, public safety, and accountability to taxpayers—values he continues to champion as both a legislator and community member. WCAB News plans to provide more extensive coverage of this race and others across Rutherford County following the official candidate filing period in December, as voters prepare to decide whether to continue Johnson’s trajectory of local and state service or chart a new course for the region’s future.