# Gary Johnson

> American politician, businessman, and 29th Governor of New Mexico

**Wikidata**: [Q352123](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q352123)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Johnson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gary-johnson

## Summary
Gary Johnson is an American politician, businessman, and the 29th Governor of New Mexico. He is best known for his tenure as a two-term Republican governor and later as a Libertarian presidential candidate, bringing a centrist, fiscally conservative, and socially liberal platform to national attention.

## Biography
- Born: January 1, 1953
- Nationality: United States
- Education: University of New Mexico, B.A. in Business Administration
- Known for: Serving as the 29th Governor of New Mexico and later as a prominent Libertarian Party presidential candidate
- Employer(s):  
  - Governor of New Mexico (2011–2019)  
  - 2012 and 2016 Libertarian Party presidential nominee  
  - Business entrepreneur and CEO of companies including Cannabis Sativa, Inc.
- Field(s): Politics, Business, Libertarianism

## Contributions
Gary Johnson is most notably recognized for:
- **Governorship of New Mexico (2011–2019)**: Served two terms as the 29th Governor of New Mexico, known for instituting significant reforms in drug policy, civil asset forfeiture, and marijuana decriminalization.
- **Presidential Campaigns**: Ran for U.S. President in 2012 and 2016 under the Libertarian Party ticket, becoming the first third-party candidate since 1980 to qualify for all 50 states' ballots.
- **Business Leadership**: Founded and led multiple private enterprises, including construction firms and real estate ventures, prior to entering politics.
- **Cannabis Advocacy**: Advocated for the legalization of marijuana and supported the regulated use of cannabis through public statements and policy initiatives.
- **Libertarian Movement**: Helped elevate the Libertarian Party's visibility and influence, particularly through his candid, reform-minded political stances.

## FAQs
**What is Gary Johnson known for?**  
Gary Johnson is best known for serving as the 29th Governor of New Mexico and for his subsequent runs for U.S. President as the Libertarian Party nominee in 2012 and 2016. He brought national attention to issues like drug policy reform, civil liberties, and limited government.

**Where did Gary Johnson go to school?**  
Gary Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. He also attended Highland High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

**What political positions did Gary Johnson hold?**  
Gary Johnson served as the Governor of New Mexico from 2011 to 2019. He also ran for U.S. President in 2012 and 2016 as the Libertarian Party's candidate.

**What businesses has Gary Johnson been involved in?**  
Before entering politics, Johnson founded and operated several businesses, including a construction company and real estate ventures. He later became involved in the cannabis industry, serving as a director of Cannabis Sativa, Inc.

**What are Gary Johnson's political beliefs?**  
Gary Johnson is known for his libertarian views, advocating for limited government, individual liberty, free markets, and the decriminalization of drugs, including marijuana. He has been a vocal critic of the War on Drugs and a proponent of criminal justice reform.

## Why They Matter
Gary Johnson has played a pivotal role in reshaping American political discourse by advocating for pragmatic, limited-government solutions. His gubernatorial tenure in New Mexico introduced significant reforms in drug policy and civil asset forfeiture, setting precedents for other states. His presidential campaigns under the Libertarian Party brought third-party politics into mainstream conversations, influencing public opinion and policy debates on issues like drug legalization, privacy rights, and fiscal responsibility. His influence extends into the growing acceptance of libertarian principles in American politics, particularly among younger and more independent voters.

## Notable For
- First Libertarian presidential candidate to qualify for all 50 state ballots (2012, 2016)
- Serving as the 29th Governor of New Mexico (2011–2019)
- Advocating for marijuana decriminalization and criminal justice reform
- Founding and leading private businesses before entering politics
- Being the first governor in the U.S. to support legalizing marijuana statewide
- Running on a platform of fiscal conservatism and social progressivism
- Influencing the national conversation on third-party politics and electoral reform

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Gary Earl Johnson was born on January 1, 1953, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended Highland High School in Albuquerque and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico, graduating in 1974. His early career was rooted in business, founding and managing several ventures, including a successful construction company.

### Political Career
Johnson entered politics as a Republican and was elected Governor of New Mexico in 2010, taking office in January 2011. He served two terms, ending in January 2019. His administration was marked by a pragmatic, reform-oriented approach, particularly in criminal justice and drug policy. He was notable for supporting the decriminalization of marijuana and advocating for civil asset forfeiture reform.

### Libertarian Presidential Campaigns
In 2012 and 2016, Johnson ran for U.S. President as the Libertarian Party's nominee. He became the first third-party candidate since 1980 to qualify for the general election ballot in all 50 states. His campaigns emphasized limited government, personal freedom, and fiscal responsibility, resonating with a broad audience and helping to elevate the Libertarian Party's national profile.

### Business Ventures
Prior to his political career, Johnson founded and operated multiple private businesses, including a construction company and real estate ventures. He later became involved in the cannabis industry, serving as a director of Cannabis Sativa, Inc., aligning with his advocacy for marijuana reform.

### Political Philosophy and Advocacy
Johnson is a strong advocate for civil liberties, drug policy reform, and limited government. He has consistently argued for the decriminalization of drugs, police accountability, and the reduction of the U.S. prison population through reform. His views have influenced modern libertarianism and brought attention to issues like the War on Drugs and the need for criminal justice reform.

### Public Service and Reform
As Governor, Johnson introduced several reforms, including the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana and the reduction of civil asset forfeiture practices. His administration was also known for its focus on fiscal conservatism and government transparency.

### Legacy and Influence
Gary Johnson's impact on American politics includes:
- Elevating third-party political discourse
- Advocating for criminal justice reform
- Influencing the national debate on marijuana legalization
- Promoting libertarian ideals such as individual liberty and limited government
- Encouraging bipartisan dialogue on government reform

His legacy continues to shape political conversations, particularly around personal freedom, fiscal policy, and the role of government in American society.

## References

1. IMDb
2. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. BBC Things
5. [Source](https://twitter.com/GovGaryJohnson)
6. [Source](https://www.facebook.com/govgaryjohnson)
7. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/gary-earl-johnson-107Zzpvxwv/appearances)
8. [Gary Johnson - MBTI Enneagram - Personality Database™️ 2022](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/2518/gary-johnson-governmentusa-mbti-personality-type)
9. Know Your Meme