Vard Johnson

Vard Johnson
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1989
Preceded byEdwin Dvorak
Succeeded bySharon Beck
Personal details
Born (1939-03-11) March 11, 1939 (age 87)
Kansas City, Missouri
PartyRepublican (until 1983)
Democratic (1983–present)
Spouse
Loretta Turner
​
(m. 1963)​
Children2 (Samuel, Schuyler)
EducationYale University (B.A.)
Harvard Law School (LL.B.)
OccupationAttorney

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. Upon graduation, he worked for the Omaha-based firm of Young, Holm, McEachen & Hamann, and then moved to Arizona to work for a legal aid society. He returned to Omaha in 1969 to become the director of the metropolitan area's Legal Aid Society. In 1977, Johnson took a leave of absence to teach at the Creighton University School of Law, 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. In the nonpartisan primary, Dvorak narrowly placed first, winning 30 percent of the vote to Johnson's 27 percent and state labor department employee Francis Woznicki's 21 percent. Johnson defeated Dvorak in the general election, winning 56–44 percent.

Johnson ran for re-election in 1982, and was challenged by coin dealer Wayne Hohndorf and attorney Rosemarie Lee. 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.

During Johnson's re-election campaign, he announced that he was leaving the Legal Aid Society and starting a private law firm with Robert Broom, Johnson's successor as director.

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 ultimately declined to do so, announcing that he would return to the "highest calling in American life, that of a private citizen." He officially resigned from the legislature on January 3, 1989, and Beck was appointed by Governor Kay A. Orr to succeed him.

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, Gail Lynn, ed. (1987). Nebraska Blue Book 1986-87 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Legal Aid Chief Taking a Leave". Omaha World-Herald. January 15, 1977. p. 11. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Seat Sought By Johnson". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1978. p. 4. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1978). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 9, 1978, General Election, November 7, 1978 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ Joyce, James (May 3, 1978). "Elections could alter personality of Unicam". Lincoln Star. p. 1. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Williams, Susan Darst (April 29, 1982). "Challengers in 8th District See Votes on Political Right of Incumbent". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1982). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1982, General Election, November 2, 1982 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ Whitesides, John (May 12, 1982). "Battle Heating Early for Fall Legislative Vote". Omaha World-Herald. p. 29. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Two Will Cut Legal Aid Tie". Omaha World-Herald. April 5, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Vard Johnson Switches to Democratic Party". Omaha World-Herald. April 19, 1983. p. 6. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Schreiner, Bruce (April 27, 1986). "14 state lawmakers face contested races". Lincoln Journal. p. 1B. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1986). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1986, General Election, November 4, 1986 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ "V. Johnson Says Foe's Challenge Is Over". Omaha World-Herald. May 14, 1986. p. 11. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Taylor, John (November 5, 1986). "Vard Johnson Survives Challenge". Omaha World-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. 1 2 Cordes, Henry J. (November 17, 1988). "Vard Johnson Resigns Seat In Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ Rosse, Sharon (December 19, 1988). "Johnson: I Won't Run For Mayor". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick, ed. (1989). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska (PDF). Vol. 1. p. 6–7. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Orr appoints Byars, Beck to legislative seats". Lincoln Star. December 10, 1988. p. 12. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.