Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Learn about Gary Johnson — American politician, businessman, two-term Governor of New Mexico, Libertarian presidential candidate — his biography, political philosophy, major achievements, and well-known quotes.
Introduction
Gary Earl Johnson (born January 1, 1953) is an American businessman and politician, known for his tenure as the 29th Governor of New Mexico and for running for U.S. President as the Libertarian Party nominee in 2012 and 2016.
Johnson’s political stance blends fiscal conservatism with social liberalism: he has advocated for limited government, civil liberties, decriminalization of marijuana, and noninterventionist foreign policy.
Early Life and Family
Gary Johnson was born in Minot, North Dakota, on January 1, 1953.
Johnson grew up in New Mexico, and graduated from Sandia High School in Albuquerque in 1971, where he participated in athletics. University of New Mexico, majoring in political science, and completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1975.
To support himself, during his college years he worked as a handyman and did various repair jobs.
Johnson married Denise "Dee" Simms in 1977; they had two children.
Business Career
After college, Johnson founded Big J Enterprises, a construction and mechanical contracting firm, starting it with himself as the only employee. Intel’s expansion in Rio Rancho, which helped grow its revenues substantially.
By the time he sold the business in 1999, it had grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise employing over a thousand people.
Johnson credits a night-school time management course early in his career with helping him to become goal-oriented and disciplined as a businessman.
Political Career
Governor of New Mexico (1995–2003)
Johnson entered politics in 1994, spending a large amount of his own money to run for New Mexico governor on a platform emphasizing reduced government, tax cuts, and efficiency. “People before Politics.”
He won the general election and took office on January 1, 1995.
In 1998, Johnson was reelected by a comfortable margin, defeating his Democratic opponent, even though New Mexico has a large Hispanic electorate.
He left office in 2003 due to term limits, having vetoed many bills and often clashing with legislative majorities.
One notable policy: Johnson was an early advocate for the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana and argued that the War on Drugs had failed.
Presidential Campaigns & Libertarian Affiliation
Originally a Republican, Johnson shifted to the Libertarian Party in 2011.
He sought the Republican nomination in 2012 but withdrew, instead running as the Libertarian candidate.
In 2016, Johnson again won the Libertarian nomination and secured ~4.5 million votes (~3.3% of the national total), the highest ever achieved by a Libertarian presidential candidate.
Johnson’s campaigns emphasized fiscal responsibility, civil liberties, nonintervention in foreign wars, tax reform (FairTax), and drug policy reform.
Later and Ongoing Activities
After his presidential runs, Johnson remained active in libertarian and policy advocacy, producing writings and engaging in public debates.
He founded Our America Initiative PAC in 2013 to promote smaller government and personal freedom.
Johnson also has spoken on issues such as the NSA’s surveillance, government transparency, drug decriminalization, and budget discipline.
Political Philosophy & Positions
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Limited Government & Fiscal Conservatism: Johnson promotes reducing government size, cutting spending, simplifying taxes, and balancing the budget.
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Civil Liberties & Social Liberalism: He supports drug decriminalization, free speech, nonintervention in private life, and reducing government surveillance.
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Noninterventionist Foreign Policy: Johnson opposes foreign military entanglements and favors diplomacy.
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Tax Reform: He endorses the FairTax system — replacing federal income and capital gains taxes with a national consumption tax.
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Criminal Justice Reform: Johnson argues that many crimes should not be treated as criminal (especially nonviolent drug offenses) and supports alternatives to incarceration.
Over time, he has expressed reservations about the death penalty, citing error rates and wrongful convictions.
Legacy and Influence
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Johnson is a notable figure in U.S. third-party politics — his 2016 showing remains a high point for the Libertarian Party.
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His gubernatorial tenure is remembered for his frequent use of vetoes, his efforts to restrain government growth, and his support for school vouchers.
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His advocacy for drug policy reform contributed to broader public discussion about legalization and decriminalization.
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He remains a controversial—but often cited—voice in debates over the size and role of government in American life.
Personality and Characteristics
From available materials and public commentary, some traits become evident:
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Entrepreneurial mindset: His business background informs his approach to government as needing efficiency and accountability.
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Outspoken and candid: Johnson is known to speak bluntly and with humor, often using analogies or quips.
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Risk taker: Running for president as a third-party candidate multiple times requires boldness and willingness to accept low chances.
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Consistency: Over decades, he has largely maintained his principles of small government and personal freedom.
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Athletic & disciplined: Johnson competed in triathlons and marathons during his time in office, signifying personal discipline.
Famous Quotes of Gary Johnson
Here are some notable quotes attributed to Johnson:
“How simple life is. We buy a fish. We are fed. We sit close to each other, we talk and then we go to bed.” “We’re on the verge of a financial collapse unless we balance the budget, and that means some really, really tough decisions.” “I don’t smoke marijuana anymore. I don’t drink. Marijuana is a handicap. So is alcohol. But in spite of being a handicap, it shouldn’t be criminal.” “I don’t want to put one innocent person to death to put 99 that are guilty to death. So philosophically I’m a tooth-for-tooth guy, but the reality is the death penalty as public policy is flawed.” “Immigration is a good thing. We should make that as easy as possible.” “I think libertarians need somebody who can articulate getting from A to Z. But you know, if G is achievable, how about it? Let’s get there!”
These quotes reflect Johnson’s consistent themes: fiscal responsibility, questioning government overreach, personal freedoms, and skepticism of punitive policies.
Lessons from Gary Johnson
Here are several lessons one can draw from Johnson’s life and political path:
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Principle over politics
He prioritized consistency of philosophy (small government, personal freedoms) over opportunism in party politics. -
Outsider voices matter
Running outside the two major U.S. parties is difficult, but such voices can shift discourse and push ideas onto the agenda. -
Balancing idealism with pragmatism
He often acknowledged trade-offs and limitations, rather than rigid ideological purity. -
Use of veto and executive tools
As governor, he showed how executive authority can be a check on legislative overreach. -
Voice matters
Even if one does not win major office, articulating consistent ideas and engaging media can increase influence over time.
Conclusion
Gary Johnson’s journey — from building a construction firm to governing a state, and then challenging the two-party system — is emblematic of libertarian ambition in American politics. While he never achieved the presidency, his campaigns expanded the visibility of ideas about limited government, civil liberties, and reforming criminal justice. His legacy lies in the ongoing debates he helped shape, and the example of a politician who staked much on conviction and consistency.