Lon Johnson

Lonnie Barton Johnson is an American politician. He is the former chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party, having served in that position from 2013 through 2015. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2012 election for the 103rd district in the Michigan House of Representatives. He was the Democratic nominee for Michigan's 1st congressional district in the 2016 election, losing to Republican Jack Bergman in the general election by over 50,000 votes.

Personal life Johnson was born in Rockwood, Michigan. His father is a retired machinist and his grandfather was a steelworker. He graduated from Arizona State University. He is a son of Vivian L. Pluff of Onsted, Michigan, and Gary S. Johnson of Richland, Pennsylvania. Lon has an identical twin brother, Lance Johnson.

On October 22, 2011, Johnson married Julianna Smoot, having previously served as White House Social Secretary, Deputy Assistant to the President, and Chief of Staff to United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. His wife's employment in the Obama reelection effort was a campaign issue.

Career Johnson has worked for the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Congressman John Dingell's 2002 campaign. He was formerly vice president of a private equity firm in Tennessee, TVV Capital, a private fund in Nashville that invests in small and midsize manufacturers and other companies, chiefly in the Southeast.

Political campaigns 2012 Michigan House of Representatives campaign Johnson made an unsuccessful bid in the 2012 elections to unseat incumbent Republican Representative Bruce Rendon in the 103rd district of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Johnson's campaign raised a total of $347,637 during the 2012 election cycle.

2013 Michigan Democratic Party Chairperson election On February 5, 2013, Johnson announced his intentions to become Michigan Democratic Party Chairperson. The two-year position was voted on during the Michigan Democratic Party Convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit on February 23, 2013.

All seven Democrats in Michigan’s congressional delegation signed a letter sent to party members on February 5, 2013 which announced their collective endorsement of Johnson for the chair of the state party. He also received the support of the United Auto Workers,

Johnson said he intended to hire an executive director to oversee day-to-day operations of the state headquarters while he focused on campaign and outreach efforts.

Johnson won the Democratic primary in August 2016. He faced Republican nominee Jack Bergman in the November 2016 general election. Bergman won 55% of the vote to Johnson's 40%.

Electoral history