Gary E. Johnson
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Gary Earl Johnson (born January 1, 1953) was the Republican governor of the U.S. state of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He is also a well-known and outspoken opponent of the War on Drugs.
From a fairly humble background, Johnson exemplifies the citizen politician. Johnson attended the University of New Mexico with an emphasis on business. It was there that he met his future wife, Dee. In the early eighties, Johnson started a construction business from a loan given to him by his father-in-law. The business took off, as Johnson was able to deftly capitalize on the growing Albuquerque metro-area's need for modern buildings.
In 1994 he received the Republican nomination for governor after a long primary campaign and close primary election. It is noteworthy that Johnson did not stand out as the first choice among many party leaders. Because he had little experience in politics, many assumed that he would not be able to fund a campaign for governor. Using his own money, Johnson was able to sway both Republicans and Democrats towards his Libertarian beliefs. In the state general election, he defeated the incumbent Democratic governor Bruce King 50%-40%.
Johnson created some controversy when he met with representatives of the New Mexico militia movement on April 28, 1995, soon after the Oklahoma City bombing. Johnson said, however, that he was meeting with members of the New Mexico militia movement to ensure that they remained non-violent1.
In 1998, Johnson was reelected as governor, defeating Democratic challenger Martin Chavez 55-45 percent.
In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to publicly advocate the legalization of drugs2. 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. His position was similar to that of the Libertarian Party in many ways, and led many political observers to believe he would run for political office as a Libertarian in the future.
In 2002, Johnson left office as required by the Constitution of the State of New Mexico which states that a governor may not serve more than two consecutive terms. As of early 2005, Johnson has not announced any desire or decision to again seek election to any other office.
As some observers had expected, after his term as governor Johnson considered running for president in 2004 as a Libertarian Party candidate. After declining the formation of a presidential search committee and deciding against such a run for president, Johnson has largely retired from politics and left public life, although he has recently discussed running for president in 2008.
Johnson is also an avid triathlete who runs several miles each day and abstains from all 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. Current photos of Johnson show him with shoulder length hair, sometimes a goatee, and wearing the casual attire of an extreme sports fan.
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.
It was reported in the 29 September 2005 Albuquerque Journal that Johnson quietly divorced his wife, Dee. The newspaper said that the couple were divorcing after "growing apart," and decided to go public with the news at that time. The couple has two grown children.
Johnson is Lutheran.
[edit] Notes
- ADL Fact Finding Report, "Beyond the Bombing: The Militia Menace Grows," Anti-Defamation League, 1995.
- CNN - New Mexico Governor Calls for Legalizing Drugs - October 5, 1999 [1]
[edit] External links
- GaryJohnsonForPresident 2008
- "America's Most Dangerous Politician", interview in Reason by Michael Lynch.
| Preceded by Bruce King |
Governor of New Mexico 1995-2003 |
Succeeded by Bill Richardson |
| Governors of New Mexico |
 |
|---|---|
| Territorial: Bent • Calhoun • Lane • Meriwether • Rencher • Connelly • Mitchell • Pile • Giddings • Axtell • Wallace • Sheldon • Ross • Prince • Thornton • Otero • Hagerman • Curry • Mills
McDonald • Baca • Lindsey • Larrazolo • M. Mechem • Hinkle • Hannett • Dillon • Seligman • Hockenhull • Tingley • Miles • Dempsey • Mabry • E. Mechem • Simms • E. Mechem • Burroughs • E. Mechem • Bolack • Campbell • Cargo • King • Apodaca • King • Anaya • Carruthers • King • Johnson • Richardson |
