Mike Johanns

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Mike Johanns
28th United States Secretary of Agriculture
In office January 21, 2005 – September 20, 2007
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Ann Veneman
Succeeded by	Ed Schafer
41st Governor of Nebraska
In office January 7, 1999 – January 20, 2005
Preceded by	Ben Nelson
Succeeded by	Dave Heineman
Born	June 18, 1950 (1950-06-18) (age 57) Osage, Iowa
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Stephanie Johanns
Religion	Roman Catholic

Michael Owen Johanns (born June 18, 1950) is an American Republican politician. A former Governor of Nebraska, he served as the 28th U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He was the fourth Nebraskan to hold the position. He is currently a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

[edit] Early history

Johanns was born in Osage, Iowa, and grew up living and working on his family's farm. After graduating from high school, Johanns went on to study at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona. He earned a law degree from Creighton University. After his graduation, Johanns began practicing law in O'Neill and Lincoln.

Johanns served on the Lancaster County Board from 1983-1987, and on the Lincoln City Council from 1989-1991. He was elected mayor of Lincoln in 1991 and 1995. He successfully ran for Governor of Nebraska in 1998.

Mike Johanns speaks after being nominated by George W. Bush for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Johanns was elected Governor in 1998 by defeating Democratic opponent Bill Hoppner by a margin of 54% to 46%. He won reelection in 2002 by a landslide, defeating Democrat Stormy Dean by a margin of 69% to 27%.

On December 2, 2004, Johanns was nominated by President Bush to replace outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman. As a result, he scrapped plans to run against Democratic Senator Ben Nelson in 2006. Johanns was confirmed by the Senate on January 20, 2005, hours after Bush's second inauguration. He tendered his resignation as Governor of Nebraska on that day. On the next day he was sworn in.

[edit] Personal

Johanns is married to Stephanie Johanns, a former Lancaster County Commissioner and Nebraska State Senator. They have two children.

[edit] US Senate Race, 2008

On September 20, 2007, he resigned as Agriculture Secretary "to pursue a new opportunity to serve this great nation".[1]

Johanns will run for the seat to be vacated by Senator Chuck Hagel, who decided not to run for re-election. [2]

On Wednesday, October 10th, 2007, Johanns formally announced his 2008 US Senate bid. [3].

[edit] External links

• Mike Johanns for U.S. Senate - Campaign Website
• White House Biography
• USDA Biography

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v • d • e Cabinet of President George W. Bush (2001 – 2009) Secretary of State Colin Powell (2001 – 2005) • Condoleezza Rice (2005 – present) Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill (2001 – 2002) • John Snow (2002 – 2006) • Henry Paulson (2006 – present) Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (2001 – 2006) • Robert Gates (2006 – present) Attorney General John Ashcroft (2001 – 2005) • Alberto Gonzales (2005 – 2007) • Michael Mukasey (2007 – present) Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton (2001 – 2006) • Dirk Kempthorne (2006 – present) Secretary of the Agriculture Ann Veneman (2001 – 2005) • Mike Johanns (2005 – 2007) • Ed Schafer (2008 – present) Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans (2001 – 2005) • Carlos Gutierrez (2005 – present) Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao (2001 – present) Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson (2001 – 2005) • Mike Leavitt (2005 – present) Secretary of Education Rod Paige (2001 – 2005) • Margaret Spellings (2005 – Present) Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez (2001 – 2003) • Alphonso Jackson (2003 – 2008) • Steve Preston (2008 – present) Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta (2001 – 2006) • Mary Peters (2006 – present) Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham (2001 – 2005) • Samuel Bodman (2005 – present) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi (2001 – 2005) • Jim Nicholson (2005 – 2007) • James Peake (2007 – present) Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge (2003 – 2005) • Michael Chertoff (2005 – present) Chief of Staff Andrew Card (2001 – 2006) • Joshua Bolten (2006 – present) Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Christine Todd Whitman (2001 – 2003) • Mike Leavitt (2003 – 2005) • Stephen Johnson (2005 – present) Trade Representative Robert Zoellick (2001 – 2005) • Rob Portman (2005 – 2006) • Susan Schwab (2006 - present)