2012 Candidate for President of the United States
Gary Earl Johnson (born January 1, 1953) is an American businessman and Republican politician who served as the
Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He is well-known for his low-tax Libertarian views and his regular
participation in triathlons.
Founder of one of New Mexico's largest construction companies, Johnson entered politics for the first time by
running for Governor of New Mexico in 1994 on a conservative, low-tax, anti-crime platform. He beat incumbent
Democratic Governor Bruce King by 50% to 40%. Johnson cut the 10% annual growth in the budget by using his
Gubernatorial veto on half of submitted bills in the first six months, and set state and national records with
his use of vetoes.
Johnson then sought re-election in 1998, winning by 55% to 45%. In his second term, he concentrated on the issue of
school voucher reforms and campaigned for marijuana decriminalization. Term-limited, Johnson retired at the end
of his second term.
Sources: tnr.com, wikipedia.org
