Johnson, Ron (1955-…), became a United States senator in 2011. Johnson, a Republican, represents Wisconsin. Prior to his election to the Senate, Johnson was a successful businessman.
Ronald Harold Johnson was born in Mankato, Minnesota, on April 8, 1955. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota in 1977. In 1979, Johnson helped a brother-in-law start a business called PACUR. The company, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, manufactures specialty plastics materials. Johnson later served as president of the company and as a member of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce.
In early 2010, Johnson spoke in favor of lower taxes and smaller government at a number of “tea party” rallies. The tea party movement is a loose collection of conservative activist groups. He campaigned for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat and won the primary in September 2010. In the November general election, Johnson defeated three-term Democratic Senator Russ Feingold. Johnson took office in 2011. He defeated Feingold again in 2016 to win reelection to the Senate. In 2022, Johnson defeated Democrat Mandela Barnes, the state’s lieutenant governor, to again win reelection.
