Terry Johnson (Ohio politician)
| Terry Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 90th district | |
|
Assumed office January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Todd Book |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 3, 1956 Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | McDermott, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ohio University |
| Profession | Doctor |
| Religion | Christian |
Dr. Terry Johnson (born November 3, 1956) is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 90th district. He is an osteopathic physician who became a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2011.
He was unopposed in the primary and faced Democrat construction worker Ron Hadsell in the general election.[1] Johnson won with 58.38% of the vote.[2] In 2012, he carried 64.07% of the vote as he was easily re-elected to a second term over Portsmouth City Council President John Haas.[3] He earned a third term in 2014, again carrying 64% of the vote as he dispatched Democrat Thom Davis.[4]
Johnson's 2010 election made him the first Republican to capture the seat since 1954,[5] and his 2012 re-election campaign saw him become the first Republican to earn major endorsements and support from area labor unions.[6]
In 2011, Johnson was named Family Physician of the Year by the Ohio State chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.[7]
2010 Campaign and Election
Dr. Terry Johnson first considered running for State Representative in 2009. At the time, he was the Scioto County Coroner and serving in Iraq as a member of the Ohio National Guard.
Johnson described his thought process in an interview with a southern Ohio newspaper, the Community Common, saying:
"I have considered running for state representative because it's the right thing to do. We need someone with a good education, a good personality, someone that comes from our area to represent the 89th District. When you set back and look at all the wonderful people we have that do not step up, and you think they should step up, you have to look in the mirror. So, I looked in the mirror." [8]
Johnson received positive feedback and officially launched his campaign later that year.
Shortly after Johnson entered the race, the only other declared candidate—Democrat Bob Walton, Jr. -- withdrew, saying it was "not the right time" for him to run.[9] Two new candidates, businessman Ron Hadsell and Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree, later competed for the Democratic nomination. Hadsell won the nomination in a race so divisive that Crabtree ended up endorsing Johnson and leaving the Democratic party.[10]
Johnson received numerous endorsements during the course of the 2010 campaign, including one from the Ironton Tribune in which they praised his leadership and experience fighting prescription drug abuse[11]
At end of the campaign, Johnson was elected by a wide margin. Immediately after the results came in, he vowed to set his sights on southern Ohio's problem of prescription drug abuse, saying "We know what our priority is here in Scioto County. It’s what is killing us. It’s prescription drug abuse." [12]
First Term
Immediately after being sworn into office, Johnson began drafting legislation to address the issue of prescription drug abuse. Just a few months into his first term, Johnson had completed the legislation and introduced it as House Bill 93.[13] The bill put limitations on in-office dispensing of controlled drugs, put licensing requirements on pain clinics and contained a take-back program to help people safely dispose of unused medications.
On May 20, House Bill 93 was signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich. HB93 was signed just two months after it had first been introduced, leading the Ohio News Network to remark that Johnson's bill had gone from concept to law in "record speed." [14]
In addition to pushing through new laws to combat the problem, Johnson also managed to bring a higher awareness to the damage caused by "pill mills" and prescription drug abuse. Kasich[15] and Attorney General Mike DeWine,[16] in addition to many others, joined Johnson in making the issue a priority shortly after taking office.
After keeping his promise to crack down on prescription drug abuse, Johnson also made headlines by fighting against the closure of several guard towers at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility[17] and publicly opposing Kasich's decision to close the Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility.[18]
2012 Re-election
Johnson ran for re-election in 2012, though his district had been re-drawn and re-designated from the 89th District to the 90th District.[19] In that campaign, Johnson became the first Republican to earn endorsements from "several statewide and local unions" who cited his willingness to stand up for the interests of his district, even if it meant opposing the leaders of his own party.[20] Johnson went on to easily win re-election, defeating Portsmouth City Council President John Haas by a margin of 64%-36%.[21]
2014 Re-election
Johnson won a third term to the Ohio House in 2014, again earning 64% of the vote and nearly doubling the total earned by Democrat Thom Davis.[22] Johnson again earned support from across the political spectrum and earned the endorsement of the Ironton Tribune.
In their recommendation, the Tribune praised Johnson for his work combatting drug abuse, saying: "Johnson, a physician and the only medical doctor in the state legislature, has made huge strides in the fight against prescription drug abuse, championing House Bill 93, which effectively shut down pill mills in the area." [23]
Johnson cruised to victory, winning all three counties in the district by double-digits. He carried Adams County 70%-30%, Scioto County 64%-36% and Lawrence County 57%-43%.[24][25][26]
References
- ↑ Lewis, Frank. "Hadsell sets sites on Johnson". Portsmouth Daily Times.
- ↑ 2010 general election results
- ↑
- ↑ "Rep. Terry Johnson wins re-election". Ironton Tribune.
- ↑ Johnson sworn in as 90th District Rep
- ↑
- ↑ "Johnson named 2011 Ohio Family Physician of the Year". Ohio Osteopathic Association.
- ↑ Dr. Terry Johnson to consider running for State Rep
- ↑ OH-89: Democratic candidate drops out in key house district
- ↑ Dems disown Crabtree for GOP support
- ↑ Dr. Johnson should make a House call
- ↑ Johnson tops Hadsell in state rep race
- ↑ Scioto County Lawmaker Fights Pill Problem
- ↑ http://www.onntv.com/content/stories/2011/05/21/story-pill-mills.html Gov. Kasich Signs House Bill 93
- ↑ Kasich Shows Support For War on Prescription Drug Abuse
- ↑ Ohio Attorney General Fights Prescription Drug Abuse
- ↑ Johnson opposes closing SOCF towers
- ↑ Johnson opposes Ohio River Valley closure
- ↑ Kephas, Eric. "89th House District affected by redistricting". Portsmouth Daily Times.
- ↑ Unions endorse GOP's Terry Johnson
- ↑ Johnson defeats Haas to retain 90th District
- ↑ "Rep. Terry Johnson wins re-election". Ironton Tribune.
- ↑ Johnson, Smith get Tribune nod
- ↑ Adams County Results
- ↑ Scioto County Results
- ↑ Lawrence County Results
