Isaac Johnson

Isaac Johnson (November 1, 1803 – March 15, 1853) was an American politician who served as the 12th Governor of the state of Louisiana. He began his term shortly after the passage of the 1845 state constitution and sought to uphold its provision to eliminate property qualifications for voting or holding public office. He was a strong proponent of public education, supported the annexation of western territories, and pushed for moving the state capital from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

Political career In 1833 Johnson was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he served on the Judiciary Committee. He also served on various committees in New Feliciana, including one to counteract the actions of abolitionists and another to protect the parish from robbers and vagrants. In 1839, Johnson was appointed judge of the Third Judicial District and appointed secretary of state by Governor Alexandre Mouton. Johnson quickly resigned to avoid the threat of yellow fever in New Orleans, then the state capital.

Johnson angered members of the Democratic Party after he appointed multiple Whig candidates to various offices. Although the party had seen a surge in support under the leadership of Party Boss John Slidell, Johnson fell out of favor with Democratic leadership for his nonpartisanship.

In 1849, the state capitol was moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge after Johnson signed a bill officially moving it. The following year, Governor Johnson did not run for reelection. His successor, Joseph Marshall Walker, appointed him as Attorney General of Louisiana. While running for a position on the State Supreme Court, Johnson died of a heart attack at the Verandah Hotel in New Orleans on March 15. He was buried at Troy Plantation in West Feliciana Parish.