Eric Johnson (Georgia politician)

Eric Johnson (born August 20, 1953) is an American politician that served in the Georgia State Senate representing the 1st District, comprising all of Bryan and Liberty counties and part of Chatham County. He resigned his seat in 2009, after years in the Georgia General Assembly.[1] He was a candidate for Governor of Georgia, looking to succeed term-limited Sonny Perdue in 2010.

For other uses, see Eric Johnson (disambiguation).

Eric Johnson
Member of the Georgia State Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 9, 1995 – September 15, 2009
Preceded byTom Coleman, Jr.
Succeeded byBuddy Carter
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 153rd district
In office
January 11, 1993 – January 9, 1995
Preceded byJack Kingston
Succeeded byBurke Day
Personal details
Born (1953-08-20) August 20, 1953
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKathryn
ChildrenRighton (attorney), Marcus (minister)
ProfessionArchitect

A Republican, he was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1992, giving up his seat after one term to run for the state senate.[2] He was reelected to the state senate in 1996.[3] 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. The Republican majority stripped Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor of most of his powers, so for all intents and purposes, Johnson served as lieutenant governor.[4] The power of the lieutenant governor was restored back to current lieutenant governor Casey Cagle, a Republican, in 2007.

Background

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, 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–present

Education

Senator Johnson graduated with a Bachelor's and master's degree in architecture from Tulane University in 1976.

Career
Johnson speaks with Max Burns at the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah, 2003

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.[5] 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. "State Senator Eric Johnson has resigned".
  2. "Our Campaigns - GA State Senate 01 Race - Nov 08, 1994".
  3. "Our Campaigns - GA State Senate 01 Race - Nov 05, 1996".
  4. "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Lieutenant Governor". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  5. Charles S. Bullock, III, The Georgia Political Almanac, The General Assembly 1993–94
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