Johnson, Gary (1953-…), was the Libertarian Party’s candidate for president of the United States in the 2012 and 2016 elections. The Libertarian Party favors increasing individual liberties by limiting government activities (see Libertarian Party ). Although Johnson received only a small percentage of the votes for president, his campaigns helped bring attention to libertarian ideas. Prior to running for president, Johnson had served as governor of New Mexico and was a successful businessman.
Gary Earl Johnson was born on Jan. 1, 1953, in Minot, North Dakota. His family moved to New Mexico when he was young. As a student at the University of New Mexico, Johnson started a handyman business to help him pay tuition costs. He graduated from the university in 1975. In 1976, Johnson started Big J Enterprises, a construction firm. The business prospered, and it eventually became one of the state’s largest construction companies. Johnson sold the business in 1999.
In 1994, Johnson, running as a Republican, won election as New Mexico’s governor. He was reelected in 1998. As governor, Johnson gained attention for balancing the state’s budget and vetoing (rejecting) hundreds of bills. Johnson also became known for his active lifestyle, which involved cycling, skiing, and mountain climbing.
In April 2011, Johnson announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican nomination for president of the United States. He became known for his libertarian positions, notably his pledge to decriminalize marijuana and end the government’s “war on drugs.” In December 2011, Johnson withdrew from the Republican race. He continued his presidential campaign, however, as a candidate for the Libertarian Party’s nomination. He won the nomination in May 2012. He chose James P. Gray, a former California judge, as his vice presidential running mate.
In 2014, Johnson was named chief executive officer of a Nevada-based company that makes marijuana products for sale in localities where marijuana is legal. He resigned the position in January 2016, just prior to announcing a run for the Libertarian Party’s 2016 presidential nomination. He won the nomination in May and chose former Massachusetts Governor William Weld as his running mate. In 2018, Johnson, campaigning as a Libertarian, finished a distant third in a race to represent New Mexico in the U.S. Senate.
