Mike Johanns | |
---|---|
United States Senator from Nebraska |
|
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 3, 2009 Serving with Ben Nelson |
|
Preceded by | Chuck Hagel |
28th United States Secretary of Agriculture | |
In office January 21, 2005 – September 20, 2007 |
|
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | Ann Veneman |
Succeeded by | Ed Schafer |
38th Governor of Nebraska | |
In office January 7, 1999 – January 20, 2005 |
|
Lieutenant | David I. Maurstad (1999-2001) Dave Heineman (2001-2005) |
Preceded by | Ben Nelson |
Succeeded by | Dave Heineman |
47th Mayor of Lincoln | |
In office 1991–1998 |
|
Preceded by | Bill Harris |
Succeeded by | Dale Young |
Personal details | |
Born | Michael Owen Johanns June 18, 1950 Osage, Iowa |
Political party | Republican (1988–present) |
Other political affiliations |
Democratic (Before 1988) |
Spouse(s) | Stephanie Johanns |
Residence | Omaha, Nebraska |
Alma mater | St. Mary's University (B.A.) Creighton University (J.D.) |
Occupation | Attorney |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Website | Senator Mike Johanns |
Michael Owen "Mike" Johanns (born June 18, 1950) is an Republican American politician who has been the junior United States Senator from Nebraska since 2009. Previously he was the 38th Governor of Nebraska from 1999 to 2005 and was United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2005 to 2007,[1] becoming the fourth Nebraskan to hold the position. On November 4, 2008, Johanns was elected to the United States Senate for the state of Nebraska, becoming one of only two new Republican senators (with Jim Risch of Idaho) heading into the 111th United States Congress.[2] In 2002 Johanns served as a Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association.
Contents |
Johanns was born in Osage, Iowa, the son of Adeline Lucy (née Royek) and John Robert Johanns. His father was of German ancestry, and his maternal grandparents immigrated from Poland.[3] He grew up living and working on his family's farm. After graduating from high school, Johanns went on to study at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona. He earned a law degree from Creighton University. After his graduation, Johanns began practicing law in O'Neill and Lincoln, Nebraska.
Johanns served on the Lancaster County Board from 1983 to 1987 as a Democrat. In 1988 he was elected to the Lincoln City Council where he served from 1989 to 1991. He was elected as Mayor of Lincoln in 1991 and then again in 1995 with no opposition: the last Republican elected to that office to date. (His successor, Dale Young, was appointed by the Lincoln City Council.[4])
He then ran successfully to become the 38th Governor of Nebraska in 1998 by defeating Democratic opponent Bill Hoppner by a margin of 54% to 46%. He won reelection in 2002 by a landslide, defeating Democrat Stormy Dean by a margin of 69% to 27%.
On December 2, 2004, Johanns was nominated by President George W. Bush to replace outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman. As a result, he scrapped plans to run against Democratic Senator Ben Nelson in 2006.[5] Johanns was confirmed by the Senate on January 20, 2005, hours after Bush's second inauguration. He tendered his resignation as Governor of Nebraska on that day. On the next day he was sworn in.
On September 20, 2007, he resigned as Agriculture Secretary to run for the United States Senate.[6] Johanns officially announced his bid on October 10, 2007 to run for the Senate seat to be vacated by Senator Chuck Hagel, who decided not to run for re-election. On November 4, 2008, he was elected to the United States Senate,[5] defeating Democratic nominee Scott Kleeb in the general election.
Johanns is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former Lancaster County Commissioner and Nebraska State Senator. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Bill Harris |
Mayor of Lincoln 1991– 1998 |
Succeeded by Dale Young |
Preceded by Ben Nelson |
Governor of Nebraska January 7, 1999– January 20, 2005 |
Succeeded by Dave Heineman |
Preceded by Ann Veneman |
United States Secretary of Agriculture Served under: George W. Bush January 21, 2005– September 20, 2007 |
Succeeded by Ed Schafer |
United States Senate | ||
Preceded by Chuck Hagel |
United States Senator (Class 2) from Nebraska 2009–present Served alongside: Ben Nelson |
Incumbent |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Gene Spence |
Republican nominee for Governor of Nebraska 1998, 2002 |
Succeeded by Dave Heineman |
Preceded by Chuck Hagel |
Republican nominee for United States Senator from Nebraska (Class 2) 2008 |
Succeeded by Current nominee |
United States order of precedence | ||
Preceded by Tom Udall D-New Mexico |
United States Senators by seniority 73rd |
Succeeded by Jeanne Shaheen D-New Hampshire |
|
|
|
|
|