No Obstacle Too Great
Johnson, who has been referred to as the 'most fiscally conservative Governor' in the country, was the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003. Governor Johnson brings a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, believing that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.
An avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peak on four of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest.
History & Family
Governor Johnson, who has been referred to as the 'most fiscally conservative Governor' in the country, was the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003.
A successful businessman before running for office in 1994, Gov. Johnson started a door-to-door handyman business to help pay his way through college. Twenty years later, he had grown the firm into one of the largest construction companies in New Mexico with over 1,000 employees. Not surprisingly, Governor Johnson brings a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, believing that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.
Johnson is best known for his veto record, which includes over 750 vetoes during his time in office, more than all other governors combined and his use of the veto pen has since earned him the nickname "Governor Veto." He cut taxes 14 times while never raising them when he left office, New Mexico was one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget.
Term-limited, Johnson retired from public office in 2003. An avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peak on four of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest.
In 2009, after becoming increasingly concerned with the country's out-of-control national debt and precarious financial situation, the Governor formed the OUR America Initiative, a 501c(4) non-profit that promotes fiscal responsibility, civil liberties, and rational public policy. He traveled to more than 30 states and spoke to over 150 conservative and libertarian groups during his time as Honorary Chairman.
He has two grown children- a daughter Seah and a son Erik and currently resides in a house he built himself in Taos, New Mexico.
http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/about
Is Gary Johnson the wild card in the Presidential election? "A surprise may be lurking in the presidential campaign that could cause a stir in the coming months, but it has nothing to do with Mitt Romney or Barack Obama," begins the story in Real Clear Politics on Johnson's possible impact in picking the next President. That article observes that Johnson's impact on the race remains unknown, though a recent Arizona poll showed him pulling 9% of the vote in a race against Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Capitol Report's
Rob Nikolewski has done a better job following Johnson's growing impact on the conversation, if not yet the electorate. As he has reported, national polling organizations will be including Johnson in their surveys. Another poll reported by Nikolewski found Johnson pulling 7% of the national vote in a three-way race with Obama and Romney. Johnson has qualified for federal funds, and it is likely he will be on the ballot in every state. Johnson dipped into his personal fortune in his first race for Governor. On a national stage, his resources won't go as far as they did in New Mexico. But they can keep him alive, especially in selected swing states. The other unknown is whether Ron Paul's money bomb capabilities will shift to Johnson as the standard-bearer of the libertarian cause. http://newmexico.watchdog.org/14118/gary-johnson-has-the-beltways-attention/
Gary Johnson appears on "The Colbert Report" wants the government to decriminalize marijuana and tell kids the truth about smoking pot. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/309253/may-10-2010/gary-johnson
Gary Johnson appears on "The Daily Show" http://newmexico.watchdog.org/13896/gary-johnson-appears-on-the-daily-show/
Track Record
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1994
Gary Johnson announced his gubernatorial run under a "common sense business approach"
1994 -
1994
Gary Johnson elected governor of New Mexico, beating incumbent 50% to 40%
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1995
Governor Johnson set state and national records by vetoing 200 bills out of the 424 that were passed by the Legislature
1995 -
1998
Ran for re-election against Democratic Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez
1998 -
1998
Won reelection by a 45% to 55% margin despite a 2-1 Democrat majority
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2002
Term-Limited, Governor Johnson finished his second term as a Governor
2002 -
Overall Accomplishments
- Left office with New Mexico as one of the only four states in the country with a balanced budget
- Left New Mexico with a budget surplus
- Used Line Item Veto thousands of times to trim the budget
- Vetoed 750 bills during his time in office; more than all other governors combined
- Cut over 1,200 government jobs without firing anyone
- Created more than 20,000 new jobs
- First New Mexico Governor to challenge education status quo and propose statewide voucher program
- Restored State General Fund reserves to more than $222 million from a low of $28.1 million
- Limited annual state budget growth to 5.0% during eight years in office
- Cut taxes 14 times while never raising them-a first for New Mexico
- Vetoed 32% of the total number of bills submitted for his signature
http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/record
Gary Johnson LIVE FREE of the FED