Mike Johanns
Mike Johanns | |
---|---|
Governor of Nebraska | |
In office January 7, 1999 – January 20, 2005 | |
Lieutenant | David Maurstad Dave Heineman |
Preceded by | Ben Nelson |
Succeeded by | Dave Heineman |
47th Mayor of Lincoln | |
In office May 20, 1991 – November 30, 1998 | |
Preceded by | Bill Harris |
Succeeded by | Dale Young |
Personal details | |
Born | Michael Owen Johanns June 18, 1950 Osage, Iowa, U.S. |
Political party | Republican (1988–present) |
Other political affiliations | Democratic (before 1988) |
Spouses | Connie Johanns
(m. 1972; div. 1985)Stephanie Armitage (m. 1986) |
Children | 2 |
Education | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (BA) Creighton University (JD) |
Michael Owen Johanns (
Born in Osage, Iowa, Johanns is the graduate of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and Creighton University School of Law. He began his career as an attorney working in private practice before clerking for the Nebraska Supreme Court. Elected to the Lancaster County Board as a Democrat in 1983, Johanns served there until 1987, and was elected to the Lincoln City Council in 1988. He was elected the 47th mayor of Lincoln in 1991 and reelected in 1995.
In Nebraska's 1998 gubernatorial election, Johanns defeated Democratic political aide Bill Hoppner, and in 2002 he was reelected over insurance executive Stormy Dean. In 2008, Johanns ran for the Republican nomination to replace retiring U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel. He won the primary, defeating businessman Pat Flynn, and the general election, defeating Democratic challenger Scott Kleeb. He was sworn in on January 3, 2009; along with Jim Risch of Idaho, he became only one of two new Republican senators sworn into the 111th United States Congress. On February 18, 2013, Johanns announced that he would not run for reelection to a second term in 2014, and was succeeded by fellow Republican Ben Sasse.[1]
Early life, education and legal career
Johanns was born in
He graduated from Osage Community High School in 1968 and went on to study at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 1971.[5] Johanns earned his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law, and joined the Nebraska State Bar Association in 1974.[6]
After his graduation, he clerked for Nebraska Supreme Court Judge Hale McCown from 1974 to 1975, before practicing law for Cronin and Hannon in O'Neill, Nebraska from 1975 to 1976.[7] He was a partner at Nelson, Johanns, Morris, Holdeman, and Titus, a law firm he founded in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1976, where he practiced until 1991.[5]
Early political career
Johanns served on the
Governor of Nebraska
Elections
1998
Johanns began campaigning early in
Christensen was seen as the early frontrunner, though his lead fell dramatically in the final weeks after he made public comments that he signed an affidavit after he and his first wife divorced, saying that her adultery broke up their marriage.[18] He also saw backlash from comments he made about his second wife (Tara Dawn Holland, Miss America 1997), that he got her to swear that she was a virgin who was "saving herself for marriage."[19][20] His campaign also vigorously attacked Johanns in a flier for allowing "obscene and racist" broadcasts to air on Lincoln's public access cable channel.[21] The broadcasts showed a man urinating in public; though Johanns tried to stop the program, the airing was protected by a federal lawsuit.[22] The flier was condemned by Republican members of Nebraska's congressional delegation, with then-Senator Chuck Hagel saying that "Nobody in the Republican Party of Nebraska can be proud of Jon Christensen's conduct. I hope the people of the state will get out and vote and register their feelings on the conduct of this campaign." Hagel also added that his tactics "embarrassed Nebraska."[19][20][23]
Though the race was seen as a "dead heat" the day before the primary,[24] Johanns won with 40% of the vote, to Breslow's 29% and Christensen's 28%.[25] The primary was seen as one of the most expensive in Nebraska history, with Breslow spending $3.8 million ($2.5 million of his own money), Christensen spending $1.8 million and Johanns spending $1.7 million.[20]
Incumbent
On November 3, 1998, Johanns and his running mate,
2002
Johanns won reelection in
Tenure
During his first term, Johanns focused on direct property tax relief.[30] He succeeded in enacting a total of $85 million in such relief.[31]
Johanns was a supporter of Initiative 413, amending Nebraska's constitution to limit state government spending, and adjusting tax revenue increases to the rate of inflation.[32] In 2002 Johanns signed legislation raising the state's cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack; from 34 to 84 cents.[33] Johanns proposed another 20 cents increase in cigarette taxes, saying that "I don't think you're going to get much debate that medical costs are higher when you smoke. Cigarette and tobacco use may be a choice, but every one of us pays for its use, either with our health or our pocketbooks, or both."[34]
Johanns led agriculture trade missions to Japan, China, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea and Brazil.[35] He signed legislation increasing state gasoline taxes by 1.25 cents for ethanol incentive funding, raising $1.5 million annually for Nebraska's Ethanol Production Incentive Cash Fund.[36] Johanns served as the chairman of Governors' Ethanol Coalition in 2001.[37]
Johanns was known for his strong stance on vetoing bills. In 1999 Johanns vetoed 26 bills in only five days, more than any previous governor in Nebraska history.[38] In 2003 Johanns vetoed the entire $5.4 billion two-year Nebraska state budget. He said that he "could not accept a budget that raised taxes to grow government at a time when the state must cut spending," and called for a nearly 10% cut in every state government program.[39][40] Johanns vetoed legislation increasing the pay of members of the Nebraska Legislature, though the veto was overridden by the legislature; he also vetoed legislation authorizing teacher salary increases.[38][41]
During the 1999 legislative session, the Nebraska Legislature passed a moratorium of executions in a 27 to 21 vote, becoming the first state in the nation to send such a proposal to the governor's desk.[42] The bill set bans on all executions for two years, while a study to see if the death penalty was being applied fairly in the state took place.[43] Though the bill prevented executions from taking place, it did not exempt the sentencing of the death penalty in new cases.[44] Johanns, who is a proponent of the capital punishment, vetoed the bill a week after its passage; calling the bill "poor public policy" that would "at a minimum be utilized to advance further unnecessary criminal appeals by those currently sentenced to death row in Nebraska."[45] The veto of the bill was condemned by the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Bar Association and Pope John Paul II.[45][46]
In 1999, Johanns saw criticism from the groups
Johanns twice served as the chair of the
Johanns succeeded
United States Secretary of Agriculture
On December 2, 2004, Johanns was nominated by President
The Department of Agriculture under Johanns received criticism for being too slow to perform additional tests on cows suspected of having
U.S. Senate
2008 election
On September 20, 2007, Johanns resigned as the Secretary of Agriculture and announced on October 10, 2007 that he would run for the United States Senate seat vacated by Senator Chuck Hagel.[61] On November 4, 2008, he was elected to the United States Senate,[62] defeating Democratic nominee Scott Kleeb in the general election.
Tenure
Johanns' time in the Senate was low-key: he never appeared on one of the
Johanns received an award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for his work to support funding for autoimmune disease research.[64]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
- Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology
- Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant and Animal Health(Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Production, Income Protection and Price Support
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
- Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
- Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment, Ranking Member
- Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
- Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
- Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
- Subcommittee on Science and Space
- Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Committee on Indian Affairs
- Impeachment Trial Committee on the Articles against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr.[65]
Caucus memberships
- International Conservation Caucus
- Parkinson's Disease Caucus (co-chair)
- Sportsmen's Caucus
Millennium Challenge Corporation
In December 2015, President Barack Obama nominated Johanns to be a member of the board of directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. This nomination was confirmed by a voice vote of the U.S. Senate in February 2016.[66] In March 2019, President Donald Trump nominated him for a second term on the board.[67]
Personal life
Johanns married his first wife, Connie Johanns, in 1972. They had two children together: a son, Justin and a daughter, Michaela.[68] He also has five grandchildren.[69] Johanns and his wife divorced in 1985, and in 1986 he married Stephanie Armitage, a former Lancaster County Commissioner and Nebraska state senator.[70]
References
- ^ Camia, Catalina; Davis, Susan (February 18, 2013). "GOP Sen. Johanns of Nebraska to retire". USA Today. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THE PEOPLE OF POLAND". c-spanvideo.org. April 14, 2010.
- ISBN 9780226038087.
- ^ David Namanny (April 20, 2010). "United States Senator Mike Johanns will give keynote address at CRC". globegazette.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Allysa Schukar. "Mike Johanns won't seek another Senate term". omaha.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Mike Johanns: From Iowa to Washington, a timeline". journalstar.com. December 1, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Nebraska – Biography Campaign Finance Summary Top PAC Donations Michael Owen Johanns". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Associated Press. February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Lincoln, NE Mayor". ourcampaigns.com. August 26, 2004.
- ^ "Council elects officers as new leaders take over". Lincoln Star. May 21, 1991. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Lincoln, NE Mayor". ourcampaigns.com. August 24, 2004.
- ^ "Lincoln Police Department Annual Report 1998" (PDF).
- ^ Steve Kline. "Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, JD'74, is the first Creighton University alum elected to a state governorship. And he is the first Roman Catholic to serve as governor of Nebraska. Johanns, a Republican, defeated Democrat Bill Hoppner in the November 1998 governor's race. Prior to that, Johanns served two terms as mayor of Lincoln. Creighton University Magazine Executive Editor Steve Kline interviewed Gov. Johanns at the Governor's Mansion in Lincoln for the following story" (PDF). creighton.edu. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "NE Governor – R Primary". ourcampaigns.com. August 24, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Anna Jo Bratton (November 4, 2008). "Former GOP ag secretary Johanns wins in Nebraska". usatoday.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "The Almanac of American Politics 1998 Nebraska: Second District Rep. Jon Christensen (R)". nationaljournal.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Bob Wickers (July 1, 1998). "Accentuating the Positive in Nebraska's GOP Race for Governor" (PDF). wickersgroup.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Dirk Johnson (May 7, 1998). "Battle of Conservatives In Nebraska's Primary". nytimes.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Barry Bedlan (May 7, 1998). "NEBRASKA GOVERNOR'S RACE TIGHTENS". apnewsarchive.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Margaret Carlson (May 25, 1998). "Washington Diary Facing A Dobson's Choice". cnn.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Almanac Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns (R)". nationaljournal.com. July 14, 2003. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Barry Bedlan (May 12, 1998). "GOP JOHANNS WINS NEB. GOV. PRIMARY". apnewsarchive.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Lincoln mayor wins Nebraska primary race". San Francisco Chronicle. May 13, 1998. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Connie Bruck (November 3, 2008). "THE POLITICAL SCENE ODD MAN OUT Chuck Hagel's Republican exile". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ B. Drummond Ayres Jr. (May 10, 1998). "Political Briefing; Primary in Nebraska Is Called a Dead Heat". nytimes.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Nebraska Primary Results – May 12, 1998 By Congressional Quarterly". cnn.com. May 12, 1998. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "NE Governor – D Primary". ourcampaigns.com. August 24, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Maryann Mrowca (November 7, 1990). "Nebraska Governor: From Rural Town to Statehouse". Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results – Nebraska". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Kevin O'Hanlon (November 4, 1998). "Johanns cruises to victory". theindependent.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS" (PDF). state.ne.us. January 27, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns". nga.org. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "1998 General Election: Initiative 413 The Complete History of the Nebraska Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) Policy History Navigation". schoolfinance.ncsa.org. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Scoot Bauer (March 1, 2002). "Johanns Asks For Cigarette Tax Hike, School Aid Cut". tobacco.org. Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Omaha World-Herald (2002). "BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR SIGNIFICANT CIGARETTE TAX INCREASES 2002 TO 2011" (PDF). tobaccofreekids.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 26, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "98th Legislature Second Session 2004 Session Review" (PDF). nebraskalegislature.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Daniel Goldstein (December 2, 2004). "Bush Taps Nebraska's Johanns as Agriculture Secretary (Update1)". bloomberg.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ a b "Mike Johanns Navigator A list of resources about Mike Johanns as selected by researchers and editors of The New York Times". topics.nytimes.com. July 29, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Neb. lawmakers may override budget veto". upi.com. May 27, 2003. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "The 2003 Legislative Session The Complete History of the Nebraska Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA) Policy History Navigation". schoolfinance.ncsa.org. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Kristi Bender (April 10, 2001). "Teacher pay hike faces veto". fremonttribune.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Execution Moratorium Vetoed By Gop Governor". orlandosentinel.com. May 27, 1999. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Dirk Johnson (May 21, 1999). "Legislature Of Nebraska Votes Pause In Executions". nytimes.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Nebraska Execution Moratorium OKd". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 21, 1999. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Henry Weinstein (May 27, 1999). "Nebraska Governor Vetoes Moratorium on Executions Legislation: He rejects plea from pope, saying the measure would only cause more pain for victims' families. Legislature sets override vote for today". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ aclu.org (May 26, 1999). "ACLU of Nebraska Says Study Still Needed Despite Governor's Veto of Death Penalty Moratorium". American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ Molly Wood (May 6, 1999). "Johanns supports March for Jesus". theindependent.com. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-7618-2877-8. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
- ^ "Almanac Gov. Mike Johanns (R)". nationaljournal.com. June 15, 2001. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Profile: Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns". abcnews.go.com. November 1, 2005. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Mayor's action alienates gay, lesbian population". Lincoln Journal Star. August 14, 1997. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ "Johanns Picked to Head USDA". foxnews.com. December 2, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "NEBRASKA GOVERNOR MIKE JOHANNS NAMED TO EX-IM BANK 2001 ADVISORY COMMITTEE". exim.gov. July 20, 2001. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ fwa.org. "Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns" (PDF). Financial Women's Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 11, 2006. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Former Chairs of the Midwestern Governors Association". midwesterngovernors.org. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ White House Office of the Press Secretary (December 2, 2004). "Personnel Announcement". whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Transcript: Bush Selects Johanns for Agriculture Secretary". washingtonpost.com. December 2, 2004. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "George W. Bush Cabinet Nominations". senate.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Senate confirms two Bush cabinet nominees". usatoday.com. January 20, 2005. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. will now conduct mad cow test it called unnecessary". USA Today. June 26, 2005. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
- ^ Abbott, Charles (September 20, 2007). "Johanns resigns as agriculture secretary". Boston.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ^ Walton, Don (September 19, 2007). "Johanns will enter Senate race". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ^ "As career winds down, Mike Johanns turns reflective". Omaha.com. February 23, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ^ "LEND A HAND: Bachus honored for funding multiple sclerosis research". Tuscaloosa News. October 11, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ "Senate Leaders Announce Bipartisan Committee To Investigate Judge G. Thomas Porteous" (Press release). Senate Democratic Caucus. March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
- ^ "PN1040 — Michael O. Johanns — Millennium Challenge Corporation". U.S. Congress. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- ^ "PN513 — Michael O. Johanns — Millennium Challenge Corporation". U.S. Congress. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
- ^ "Mike Johanns". Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-16-083727-2. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
- ^ Ed Howard (December 2, 2004). "Bush Picks Johanns As U.S. Ag Secretary Heineman will become governor". nebraska.statepaper.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013.