Eric Johnson (Georgia politician)

For other uses, see Eric Johnson (disambiguation).
Eric Johnson
Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 1st district
In office
1994–2009
Preceded by Tom Coleman, Jr.
Succeeded by Buddy Carter
Personal details
Born August 20, 1953
New Orleans, Louisiana
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Kathryn
Profession Architect
Religion Christian

Eric Johnson (born August 20, 1953) is an American politician that served in the Georgia State Senate representing the 1st District. The 1st Senate District comprises Bryan, Chatham and Liberty Counties. He recently resigned his Senate seat after 17 years in the Georgia General Assembly. He was a candidate for Governor of Georgia, looking to succeed term-limited Sonny Perdue in 2010.

A Republican, he was first elected as a House member in 1992 and elected as the State Senator in 1994. He was reelected to the State Senate in 1996. His colleagues voted him as the Minority Leader in 1998 and served until 2003. In 2003 following the 2002 election of the first Republican Governor in over 130 years, several Democrats changed parties and Republicans gained the State Senate majority. Eric was elected as the Senate President Pro Tempore. He essentially served as the de facto Lieutenant Governor. The Republican-majority stripped the power of then-Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor (Democrat).[1] The power of the Lieutenant Governor was restored back to current Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle in 2007.

Background

He was born on August 20, 1953 and is of the Christian faith. He makes his career as an architect.

Professional career

Architect, North Point Real Estate, 2006–present
Architect/Vice President, Hussey, Gay, Bell and Deyoung International, 1986–2005

Education

Senator Johnson graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Architecture from Tulane University in 1976.

Career

Johnson has always been involved in politics—from local to national:

Senator, Georgia State Senate, 1994–2009
Minority Leader, Georgia State Senate, 1999–2003
Minority Whip, Georgia State Senate, 1997–1998
Representative, Georgia House of Representatives, 1992–1994
Chair, Chatham County Republican Party, 1987–1989
Regional Director, United States Senator Mack Mattingly, 1981–1983

Johnson is a Republican and served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995.[2] He represented the 1st District in the Georgia State Senate beginning in 1995, and became the institution's President Pro Tempore in 2005.

Over the years, his committee assignments have included Appropriations, Assignments, Banking & Financial Institutions, Consumer Affairs, Economic Development, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Ethics, Finance & Public Utilities, Natural Resources and the Environment, Regulated Industries and Utilities, Rules and Transportations.

Election history

Year District Republican Votes Percent Democrat Votes Percent
1998 1 Johnson 22,789 71.0% Edenfield 9,324 29.0%
2000 1 Johnson 36,170 100% – – –
2002 1 Johnson 39,083 100% – – –
2004 1 Johnson 41,240 71.9% Templeton 16,086 28.1%
2006 1 Johnson 30,811 100% – – –
2008 1 Johnson 58,467 100% – – –

Campaign for Governor

In 2009, Johnson filed paperwork with the Georgia State Ethics Commission to run for Governor in 2010. He came up short in the Republican primary, finishing just short of the runoff to Karen Handel and Nathan Deal.

References

  1. ↑ "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Lieutenant Governor". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  2. ↑ Charles S. Bullock, III, The Georgia Political Almanac, The General Assembly 1993–94

External links

Georgia House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jack Kingston (R)		 Georgia State Representative from 153rd district
January 1993 – January 1995 		Succeeded by
Burke Day (R)
Georgia Senate
Preceded by
Tom Coleman, Jr. (D)		 Georgia State Senator from 1st district
January 1995 – December 2009 		Succeeded by
Buddy Carter (R)