Lowell Johnson

Lowell C. Johnson (June 12, 1920 – September 1, 2009) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission from the 3rd district from 1995 to 2007. Johnson previously served in the Nebraska Legislature from the 15th district from 1981 to 1993.

Early career Johnson was born in Dodge County and graduated from North Bend High School in North Bend in 1937. He attended the University of Nebraska and graduated with his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1942. Reutzel placed first in the primary over Johnson, winning 55–45 percent. In a "major upset," Johnson defeated Reutzel by a wide margin in the general election, receiving 57 percent of the vote to Reutzel's 43 percent.

Johnson ran for re-election in 1984, and was unopposed in the primary election. However, after the primary election, Judy Larsen, a farmer and substitute teacher, successfully petitioned to appear on the ballot and challenged Johnson. Johnson ultimately defeated Larsen, winning 53 percent of the vote to her 47 percent. and declined to seek a fourth term in 1992.

Nebraska Public Service Commission In 1994, Johnson announced that he would run for the Nebraska Public Service Commission from the 3rd district, which included most of northeastern Nebraska following redistricting. Incumbent commissioner Duane Gay was drawn into a neighboring district and declined to seek another term. He faced former State Senator Gerald Conway and truck driver Ted Bailey in the Republican primary, and won by a wide margin, receiving 49 percent of the vote to Conway's 31 percent and Bailey's 20 percent. Johnson faced Democratic nominee Willie Buchholz, a warehouse examiner who worked for the commission, in the general election. He defeated Buchholz in a landslide, receiving 66 percent of the vote. He ultimately defeated Chase to win the primary, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Chase's 41 percent. In the general election, he was challenged by Democratic nominee Rich Hurley, and won his second term in a landslide with 65 percent of the vote.

Death Johnson died on September 1, 2009, in Fremont, Nebraska.