Tim Johnson (U.S. Senator)
| Tim Johnson | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1997 Serving with John Thune |
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| Preceded by | Larry Pressler |
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| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Daschle |
| Succeeded by | John Thune |
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| In office 1983–1986 |
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Member of the
South Dakota House of Representatives |
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| In office 1979–1982 |
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| Born | December 28, 1946 Canton, South Dakota |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Brooks |
| Residence | Vermillion, South Dakota |
| Alma mater | University of South Dakota |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Timothy Peter "Tim" Johnson (born December 28, 1946) is the senior United States Senator from South Dakota and a member of the Democratic Party. He was elected to a third term on November 4, 2008. He was the subject of national attention in December 2006 when his ill health raised the possibility that, were he to die, the Governor of South Dakota might appoint a Republican to fill his seat, thereby returning the Senate to Republican control after the November election had given the Democratic Party a slim majority. Johnson has since recovered.
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[edit] Early years
Johnson was born in Canton, South Dakota to Ruth Jorinda Ljostveit and Vandel Charles Johnson.[1] Raised in Vermillion, Johnson earned a B.A. in 1969 and an M.A. in 1970 from the University of South Dakota, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. After doing post-graduate studies at Michigan State University from 1970 to 1971 during which time he worked for the Michigan State Senate, he earned his J.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1975. Immediately after earning his law degree, he went into private practice.
[edit] Early political career
Johnson served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1979 to 1982 and in the South Dakota Senate from 1983 to 1986. Johnson served as Clay County deputy state's attorney in 1985 during his tenure in the South Dakota Senate.
Johnson was elected to the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota's At-large congressional district in 1986. During his first term, he introduced more legislation than any other freshman member of the House.[2] Between 1991 and 1994, he served as a regional whip for the Democratic Party. He left the House in 1997, when he took up his newly acquired Senate seat.
[edit] United States Senate
[edit] Elections
Johnson defeated three-term Senator Larry Pressler (R) in the 1996 U.S. Senate election, making him the only Senate candidate to defeat an incumbent in a year that saw thirteen open seats. In 2002, he defeated his successor in the at-large House seat, U.S. Representative John Thune (R), by 524 votes to win re-election. Johnson's re-election race was widely seen as a proxy battle between President George W. Bush, who had carried South Dakota comfortably in 2000, and the state's senior Senator and Johnson's fellow Democrat, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who was subsequently up for re-election in 2004 and lost to Thune.
[edit] Positions
While in the House, Johnson was among the minority of his party to vote in favor of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 – a welfare reform bill – and another bill to repeal the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. He was among the minority of Democrats to vote for President George W. Bush's 2001 tax cut. On January 31, 2006, Johnson was one of only four Democrats to vote to confirm Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also called for "broadened use" of the death penalty.[3]
Johnson was, however, among the minority of senators to vote against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which was strongly supported by pro-life groups. While a member of the House, he was one of only 16 congressmen to vote against the Telecom Act of 1996, which provided for deregulation and competition in the communication sector and was given firm support by Republicans, business groups, and most Democrats.
In May 2007, Johnson received an Honored Cooperator award from the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) for his support of cooperative businesses.[4]
Paul Hazen, NCBA president, made the presentation to Johnson’s staff at the NCBA annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia. Hazen praised Johnson for consistently supporting the Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG) program which, typically funded at $6 million annually, is the only federal grants program devoted solely to forming and expanding co-ops.[4]
In May 2010, Johnson introduced the Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010, a bill that would designate over 48,000 acres (190 km2) of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland as protected wilderness. The act would allow the continuation of grazing and hunting on the land and would create the first national grassland wilderness in the country.[5][6]
[edit] Committees
- Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, and Related Agencies (Chairman)
- Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Committee on Indian Affairs
[edit] Health
Johnson was treated for prostate cancer in 2004 and further tests showed that he was clear of the disease.[7][8]
In Washington, D.C., on December 13, 2006, during the broadcast of a live radio interview with WNAX radio in Yankton, South Dakota, Johnson suffered bleeding in the brain caused by cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a congenital problem that causes enlarged and tangled blood vessels. He underwent successful surgery at George Washington University Hospital to drain the blood and stop further bleeding.[9] As of January 19, 2007, Johnson was undergoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy every day for three hours. This included strengthening exercises to gain mobility and work with parallel bars. His recovery was expected to take "several months."[10] In his 2007 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush wished Johnson well.[11]
On February 10, 2007, it was reported that Johnson was reading news clippings and starting to do some office work from the hospital. "At this point, he has requested more contact with office and is looking for updates from staff," a member of his staff said in a statement.[12] On February 15, Johnson co-sponsored his first piece of legislation since his hospitalization, the Emergency Farm Relief Act of 2007.[13]
On February 20, he left the hospital and moved to a private facility.[14][15] On March 13, 2007, Johnson issued his first public statement:
| “ | I want to thank the people of South Dakota and all of our dear friends for their support and prayers. This has been an unexpected journey and there is a long road in front of me. I am determined and focused on my recovery, and I look forward to returning to the Senate on behalf of South Dakota.[16] | ” |
Johnson was discharged from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington on April 27.[17] On June 11, 2007, his doctor said that he would be able to resume his full duties in the Senate.[18]
Though suffering from permanent brain damage, Johnson returned to work in the Senate on September 5, 2007 to both tributes and standing ovations. It was reported that Democrats and Republicans alike had tears in their eyes during his first speech on the Senate floor.[19]
[edit] 2008 election
Johnson ran for reelection in 2008. While he was recovering earlier in the campaign season, fellow Democratic senators raised funds on behalf of his campaign. Early polls showed Johnson likely to beat the Republican challenger, Joel Dykstra,[20] and he did, with 62.5% of the vote.
In January 2008, Johnson endorsed Barack Obama for President in the Democratic primary.[21]
[edit] Personal life
Johnson's elder son, Brooks, serves in the U.S. Army, making him the only Senator with a child in the U.S. Armed Forces when the United States invaded Iraq. Michael Moore stated in his film Fahrenheit 9/11 that only one member of the Senate had a son serving in the military at the time; Moore was referring to Johnson, although he did not mention his name. He and his wife Barbara, a professional social worker, have another son, Brendan, the current United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, and a daughter, Kelsey.
[edit] Electoral history
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Tim Johnson | 171,462 | 59% | Dale Bell | 118,261 | 41% | |||||||||||||
| 1988 | Tim Johnson | 223,759 | 72% | David Volk | 88,157 | 28% | |||||||||||||
| 1990 | Tim Johnson | 173,814 | 68% | Don Frankenfeld | 83,484 | 32% | |||||||||||||
| 1992 | Tim Johnson | 230,070 | 69% | John Timmer | 89,375 | 27% | Ronald Wieczorek | Independent | 6,746 | 2% | Robert J. Newland | Libertarian | 3,931 | 1% | * | ||||
| 1994 | Tim Johnson | 183,036 | 60% | Jan Berkhout | 112,054 | 37% | Ronald Wieczorek | Independent | 10,832 | 4% |
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tim Johnson | 166,533 | 51% | Larry Pressler | 157,954 | 49% | ||||||||
| 2002 | Tim Johnson | 167,481 | 50% | John Thune | 166,949 | 49% | Kurt Evans | Libertarian | 3,071 | 1% | ||||
| 2008 | Tim Johnson | 237,866 | 62.5% | Joel Dykstra | 142,778 | 37.5% |
[edit] References
- ^ "rootsweb Search". ancestry.com. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/johnson.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Tim Johnson on the Issues". OnTheIssues.org. http://ontheissues.org/Senate/Tim_Johnson.htm#Crime. Retrieved 2006-12-20. "Broaden use of death penalty. (Jan 1996)"
- ^ a b "Sen. Johnson Wins Honored Cooperator Award". Credit Union Journal. May 7, 2007. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-163540441/sen-johnson-wins-honored.html. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
- ^ "Conservation Group Hails Introduction of Grassland Wilderness Bill". South Dakota Wild Grassland Coalition. May 5, 2010. http://www.sdwildgrassland.org/view_news.asp?SD_NEWS_ID=27. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
- ^ Cook, Andrea J. (June 16, 2010). "Neighbors disagree on grasslands wilderness". Rapid City Journal. http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_10709db6-79b2-11df-95fe-001cc4c03286.html. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
- ^ "Biography of Senator Tim Johnson". Tim Johnson Senate website. Archived from the original on 2006-12-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20061216114849/http://johnson.senate.gov/about.html. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
- ^ "Sen. Johnson recovering after brain surgery". MSNBC.com. Associated Press. 2006-12-14. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16199440/. Retrieved 2006-12-23. ""He underwent prostate cancer treatment in 2004, and subsequent tests have shown him to be clear of the disease.""
- ^ "Senator in Critical Condition". CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/14/johnson.ill/index.html. Retrieved 2006-12-14. "Johnson, 59, was in critical condition Thursday morning after surgery..."
- ^ Jalonick, Mary Clare (January 19, 2007). "Ailing South Dakota Senator on the Mend". CBS. Associated Press. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/19/ap/politics/mainD8MOLHT00.shtml.
- ^ Bush, George W. (January 23, 2007). "President Bush's 2007 State of the Union Address". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/23/AR2007012301075_pf.html. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
- ^ "Recovering Sen. Tim Johnson Working from Hospital". February 10, 2007.
- ^ "Hospitalized Sen. Tim Johnson Co-Sponsors Bill". February 16, 2007
- ^ "Johnson Update". The Washington Post. Associated Press: p. A13. February 21, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/20/AR2007022001429.html. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
- ^ http://www.thehill.com/content/view/60698/70/"Sen. Tim Johnson leaves hospital" By Sam Youngman, TheHill.com, February 21, 2007.
- ^ Sen. Tim Johnson: Thanks for Support and Prayers. March 13, 2007.
- ^ "Statement from the Office of Senator Johnson" April 30, 2007
- ^ Sen. Johnson's Doctor OKs Return to Work
- ^ Mlbank, Dana (September 6, 2007). "Senate Family Welcomes Cousin Tim . . . Not So Much Uncle Larry". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090502359.html.
- ^ "Election 2008: South Dakota Senate". Rasmussen Reports. March 7, 2008. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/election_2008_south_dakota_senate.
- ^ Johnson backs Obama
- ^ a b "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tim Johnson (U.S. Senator) |
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Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Tim Johnson |
- U.S. Senator Tim Johnson official Senate site
- Tim Johnson for South Dakota official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Congressional profile at GovTrack.us
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Collected news and commentary at The New York Times
- Profile at SourceWatch
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Daschle |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's At-large congressional district 1987 – January 7, 1997 |
Succeeded by John Thune |
| United States Senate | ||
| Preceded by Larry Pressler |
United States Senator (Class 2) from South Dakota January 7, 1997 – present Served alongside: Tom Daschle, John Thune |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Dick Durbin D-Illinois |
United States Senators by seniority 40th |
Succeeded by Jack Reed D-Rhode Island |
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