| Gary Earl Johnson | |
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| In office January 1, 1995 – January 1, 2003 |
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| Lieutenant | Walter Bradley |
| Preceded by | Bruce King |
| Succeeded by | Bill Richardson |
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| Born | January 1, 1953 Minot, North Dakota |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Dee Johnson (1977-2005) (divorced) |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico (B.A.) |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Religion | Lutheranism |
Gary Earl Johnson (born January 1, 1953) is an American businessman, triathlete, and libertarian-leaning Republican politician who served as governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. Since leaving office, Johnson has advocated libertarian ideals of limited government and non-interventionism. He is the subject of media speculation as a possible candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election.[1]
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Background
Johnson attended the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque from 1971 to 1975 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[2] It was there that he met his future wife, Denise "Dee" Simms.
While in college, Johnson earned money as a door-to-door handyman. His success in that arena encouraged him to start his own business, Big J Enterprises, which was founded in 1976. He eventually grew Big J into a multi-million dollar corporation.[3] By the time he sold the company, in 1999, it was one of New Mexico's leading construction companies.[4]
He has two grown children; a daughter, Seah, and a son, Erik.
Governor of New Mexico
In 1994, Johnson received the Republican nomination for governor after a long primary campaign and close primary election. Despite having little experience in politics, Johnson won the election, defeating the incumbent Democratic Governor Bruce King by 50% to 40%. Johnson was elected in a nationally Republican year,[5] though party registration in the state of New Mexico at the time was 2-to-1 Democratic.[6] Johnson maintained that his campaigns were "100% positive," never once attacking an opponent in print, radio, or television.[7]
In 1995, Johnson was criticized[8] when he met with representatives of the New Mexico militia movement, soon after the Oklahoma City bombing. Johnson responded that he was meeting with the militia movement members to ensure that they remained non-violent.[8]
In 1998, Johnson was re-elected as governor, defeating Democratic Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez by a 55% to 45% margin[9] making him the first Governor of New Mexico to serve two four-year terms after term limits were expanded to two terms in 1991.
In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate the repeal of drug prohibition.[citation needed] Saying the War on Drugs was "an expensive bust," he advocated the decriminalization of both drug use and possession in order to save money and potentially regulate currently illegal drugs.
Post-gubernatorial life
Johnson was term limited and could not run for a third consecutive term as governor in 2002.[10] In the 2008 election campaign, Johnson endorsed Ron Paul for the Republican presidential nomination.[11]
He is an avid triathlete who runs extensively and abstains from all recreational drug use, caffeine, alcohol, and some sugar products. During his term in office, he competed in several triathlons and was also an outspoken advocate for physical fitness. In 2003, he climbed Mount Everest.[12]
On September 29, 2005, it was reported in the Albuquerque Journal that Johnson and his wife, Dee, were divorcing. At that time Johnson stated that he initiated the separation and that he had become involved in a new relationship[13]. The couple finalized their divorce later that year. They had been married since 1977. On December 22, 2006, Dee Johnson died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease at the age of 54[14].
Johnson currently serves on the board of directors of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a youth-oriented nonprofit organization that seeks to end the war on drugs[15].
Possible 2012 presidential run
Johnson has expressed interest in running for President of the United States in the 2012 election.[16][17]
In the November 18, 2008 edition of The Western Standard, author and political pundit Marc Emery published an article entitled "Gary Johnson for President 2012," in which he posited that Johnson could win the support of libertarian standard-bearer Rep. Ron Paul if Johnson chose to embark on a presidential campaign in 2012.[18]
In the April 20, 2009 edition of The American Conservative Magazine, Bill Kauffman told readers to "keep an eye out" for a Johnson presidential campaign in 2012, reporting that Johnson had told him that "he was keeping his options open for 2012" and that "he may take a shot at the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 as an antiwar, anti-Fed, pro-personal liberties, slash-government-spending candidate—in other words, a Ron Paul libertarian".[16]
During a June 24, 2009 appearance on FOX News's Freedom Watch, host Judge Andrew Napolitano asked Johnson if he would run for President in 2012, to which Johnson responded that he thought it would be inappropriate to openly express his desires before President Obama is given the opportunity to prove himself, but he followed up that statement by saying "it appears personal freedoms are being shoveled out the window, more and more."[19]
In an October 26, 2009 interview with the Santa Fe New Mexican's Steve Terrell, Johnson announced his decision to form a political action committee called "Our America: The Gary Johnson Initiative" to help him raise funds and promote libertarian ideas. The move prompted speculation among media pundits and Johnson's supporters that he may be laying the groundwork for a 2012 presidential run.[20][21]
References
- ^ Martin, Jonathan (December 17, 2009). "Gary Johnson emerges as the next Ron Paul". Politico (politico.com). http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30714.html. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ "Candidate Profile from Congressional Quarterly". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/G/gary.johnson.html. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
- ^ interview in New Mexico Business Journal Jan-Feb, 1995
- ^ Forbes.com profile
- ^ 1994 NM Election Results
- ^ Governor Gary Johnson’s “Seven Principles of Good Government.”
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2EhAVQS2V8
- ^ a b Halpern, Thomas; Rosenberg, David; Suall, Irwin (Jan. 1996) "Militia movement: prescription for disaster, USA Today.
- ^ CNN election results 1998
- ^ Constitutional and statutory provisions for number of consecutive terms of elected state officials, National Governors Association, http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/BOS4-9.pdf, retrieved 2008-04-27
- ^ Official Ron Paul website
- ^ "Former governor scales Mount Everest" Lawrence Journal-World Online Edition Lawrence, KS
- ^ Leslie Linthicum Albuquerque Journal
- ^ Santa Fe New Mexican Feb 11, 2007
- ^ SSDP National Staff page
- ^ a b Bill Kauffman (21 April 2009). "The Republic Strikes Back". The American Conservative. http://www.amconmag.com/article/2009/apr/20/00035/. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
- ^ 24 Hour Newsroom (27 October 2009). "Ex-Gov Mulls Presidential Bid". 770 KKOB AM. http://www.770kkob.com/Article.asp?id=1564031&spid=18042. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ Emery, Marc (November 16, 2008) "Gary Johnson for President in 2012", Western Standard.ca. Retrieved on August 5, 2009.
- ^ Gary Johnson interviewed on FOX News's Freedom Watch 6/24
- ^ Steve Terrell (October 26, 2009) "Group wants Johnson on presidential ballot", Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved on October 27, 2009.
- ^ Gadi Schwartz (5 November 2009). "Supporters call for former Gov. Johnson to run for president". KOB News 4. http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1236534.shtml?cat=504. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gary Johnson |
- Our America: The Gary Johnson Initiative, political advocacy committee founded by Johnson
- "America's Most Dangerous Politician: New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson", an interview in Reason magazine, by Michael W. Lynch
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Bruce King |
Governor of New Mexico 1995-2003 |
Succeeded by Bill Richardson |
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