Vard Johnson

Vard Johnson (born March 11, 1939) is a Democratic politician and attorney from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district from 1979 to 1989.

Early life Johnson was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from Kramer High School in 1956. He later attended Yale University, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1960, and Harvard Law School, receiving his bachelor of laws in 1964. He returned to Omaha in 1969 to become the director of the metropolitan area's Legal Aid Society. and returned to the Legal Aid Society later that year.

Nebraska Legislature In 1978, Johnson announced that he would run for the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district, challenging appointed State Senator Edwin Dvorak. Johnson defeated Dvorak in the general election, winning 56–44 percent. In the primary election, Johnson placed first by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to Hohndorf's 26 percent and Lee's 15 percent. Johnson and Hohndorf advanced to the general election, where Johnson defeated him in a landslide, winning 63 percent of the vote to Hohndorf's 37 percent.

In 1983, Johnson announced that he would switch to the Democratic Party, stating that his "more moderate views [were] out of step with those of Nebraska Republican leadership."

Johnson ran for re-election in 1986, and was challenged by teacher and conservative activist Sharon Beck, attorney Horace Reynolds IV and railroad administrator George Davis. In the primary election, Johnson placed first, winning 40 percent of the vote to Beck's 39 percent. They advanced to the general election, Johnson narrowly won, winning 52 percent of the vote to her 48 percent.

In 1988, Johnson announced that he would resign from the legislature two years into his term. Though he was speculated to be considering a run for Mayor of Omaha in 1989, He officially resigned from the legislature on January 3, 1989, and Beck was appointed by Governor Kay A. Orr to succeed him.