Vard Johnson
Vard Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Edwin Dvorak |
| Succeeded by | Sharon Beck |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 11, 1939 |
| Party | Republican (until 1983) Democratic (1983–present) |
| Spouse |
Loretta Turner (m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 (Samuel, Schuyler) |
| Education | Yale University (B.A.) Harvard Law School (LL.B.) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Vard Johnson (born March 11, 1939) is a Democratic politician and attorney from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district from 1979 to 1989.
Early life
[edit]Johnson was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from Kramer High School in 1956.[1] He later attended Yale University, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1960, and Harvard Law School, receiving his bachelor of laws in 1964.[1] Upon graduation, he worked for the Omaha-based firm of Young, Holm, McEachen & Hamann, and then moved to Arizona to work for a legal aid society.[2] He returned to Omaha in 1969 to become the director of the metropolitan area's Legal Aid Society.[2] In 1977, Johnson took a leave of absence to teach at the Creighton University School of Law,[3] and returned to the Legal Aid Society later that year.[4]
Nebraska Legislature
[edit]In 1978, Johnson announced that he would run for the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district, challenging appointed State Senator Edwin Dvorak.[4] In the nonpartisan primary, Dvorak narrowly placed first, winning 30 percent of the vote to Johnson's 27 percent and state labor department employee Francis Woznicki's 21 percent.[5][6] Johnson defeated Dvorak in the general election, winning 56–44 percent.[5]
Johnson ran for re-election in 1982, and was challenged by coin dealer Wayne Hohndorf and attorney Rosemarie Lee.[7] In the primary election, Johnson placed first by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to Hohndorf's 26 percent and Lee's 15 percent.[8] Johnson and Hohndorf advanced to the general election,[9] where Johnson defeated him in a landslide, winning 63 percent of the vote to Hohndorf's 37 percent.[8]
During Johnson's re-election campaign, he announced that he was leaving the Legal Aid Society and starting a private law firm with Robert Broom, Johnson's successor as director.[10]
In 1983, Johnson announced that he would switch to the Democratic Party, stating that his "more moderate views [were] out of step with those of Nebraska Republican leadership."[11]
Johnson ran for re-election in 1986, and was challenged by teacher and conservative activist Sharon Beck, attorney Horace Reynolds IV and railroad administrator George Davis.[12] In the primary election, Johnson placed first, winning 40 percent of the vote to Beck's 39 percent.[13] They advanced to the general election,[14] Johnson narrowly won, winning 52 percent of the vote to her 48 percent.[13][15]
In 1988, Johnson announced that he would resign from the legislature two years into his term.[16] Though he was speculated to be considering a run for Mayor of Omaha in 1989,[16] he ultimately declined to do so, announcing that he would return to the "highest calling in American life, that of a private citizen."[17] He officially resigned from the legislature on January 3, 1989,[18] and Beck was appointed by Governor Kay A. Orr to succeed him.[19]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Smith, Gail Lynn, ed. (1987). Nebraska Blue Book 1986-87 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- 1 2 "Former Omahan May Take Legal Aid Society's Post". Omaha World-Herald. July 22, 1969. p. 4. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Legal Aid Chief Taking a Leave". Omaha World-Herald. January 15, 1977. p. 11. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Seat Sought By Johnson". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1978. p. 4. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1978). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 9, 1978, General Election, November 7, 1978 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Joyce, James (May 3, 1978). "Elections could alter personality of Unicam". Lincoln Star. p. 1. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Williams, Susan Darst (April 29, 1982). "Challengers in 8th District See Votes on Political Right of Incumbent". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1982). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1982, General Election, November 2, 1982 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Whitesides, John (May 12, 1982). "Battle Heating Early for Fall Legislative Vote". Omaha World-Herald. p. 29. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Two Will Cut Legal Aid Tie". Omaha World-Herald. April 5, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Vard Johnson Switches to Democratic Party". Omaha World-Herald. April 19, 1983. p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Schreiner, Bruce (April 27, 1986). "14 state lawmakers face contested races". Lincoln Journal. p. 1B. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1986). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1986, General Election, November 4, 1986 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ "V. Johnson Says Foe's Challenge Is Over". Omaha World-Herald. May 14, 1986. p. 11. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Taylor, John (November 5, 1986). "Vard Johnson Survives Challenge". Omaha World-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Cordes, Henry J. (November 17, 1988). "Vard Johnson Resigns Seat In Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Rosse, Sharon (December 19, 1988). "Johnson: I Won't Run For Mayor". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick, ed. (1989). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska (PDF). Vol. 1. p. 6–7. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Orr appoints Byars, Beck to legislative seats". Lincoln Star. December 10, 1988. p. 12. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.