William E. Johnson (Nebraska politician)

William Edward Johnson (June 28, 1906 – September 18, 1976) served as the 22nd lieutenant governor of Nebraska, from 1939 to 1943.^[1] He was a Republican who initially served under Democratic governor Robert Leroy Cochran and later under governor Dwight Griswold, who was also a Republican.^[2] He was born in and died in Omaha.^[3]

William E. Johnson
22nd Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska
In office January 5, 1939 – January 7, 1943
Governor	Robert Leroy Cochran Dwight Griswold
Preceded by	Nate M. Parsons
Succeeded by	Roy W. Johnson
Personal details
Born	(1906-06-28)June 28, 1906 Omaha, Nebraska, US
Died	September 18, 1976(1976-09-18) (aged 70)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jeroma Johnson
Children	4
Residence	Schuyler, Nebraska
Profession	Accountant

Johnson was an accountant and writer of economic articles for financial journals from Schuyler, Nebraska.^[4] He first entered politics in the election of 1938 by filing to run for Nebraska Lieutenant Governor.^[5] He won the Republican nomination in a field of seven candidates and then went on to win the general election over former US Representative Terry Carpenter.^[6] Johnson was reelected as lieutenant governor in the 1940 election.^[7]

In 1942, Johnson decided not to run for reelection as lieutenant governor in order to run for United States House of Representatives in Nebraska's First District.^[8] He lost to Republican Carl Curtis in the Republican primaries. In 1946, when Nebraska Governor Dwight P. Griswold decided not to seek reelection as governor, Johnson, who served under Griswold, ran for governor but also lost in the Republican primaries to Val Peterson.^[9]

Johnson was reportedly a descendant of Nebraska Governor James E. Boyd.^[10]

References

1. Nebraska Legislature page (PDF)
2. James C. Olson (1997). History of Nebraska. U of Nebraska Press. p. 326. ISBN 0-8032-8605-8.
3. "Rites Schedules for Former Lt. Gov. Johnson". The Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. September 22, 1976. p. 22. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
4. "Finance Expert Files for Jurgensen Post". Omaha World-Herald. June 28, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
5. "Johnson in Race". The Falls City Journal. June 18, 1938. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
6. Harry R. Swanson. "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election August 9, 1938, General Election November 8, 1938" (PDF). Retrieved May 24, 2023.
7. Harry R. Swanson. "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election April 9, 1940, General Election November 5, 1940" (PDF). Retrieved May 24, 2023.
8. "Congressional Bid By Lt. Gov. Johnson". Beatrice Daily Sun. June 21, 1942. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
9. Frank Marsh (Sr.). "Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board Primary Election June 11, 1946, General Election November 5, 1946" (PDF). Retrieved September 29, 2017.
10. "Schuyler Man Candidate For Lieutenant Governor". Schuyler Sun. June 30, 1938. Retrieved May 27, 2023.