# Lowell Johnson > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lowell_Johnson > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Lowell_Johnson.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Johnson > Source revision: 1353926202 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American politician (1920–2009)}} {{use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Lowell Johnson | office = Member of the [Nebraska Public Service Commission](/source/Nebraska_Public_Service_Commission) from the 3rd district | term_start = January 5, 1995 | term_end = January 4, 2007 | predecessor = Duane Gay | successor = [Tim Schram](/source/Tim_Schram) | office1 = Member of the [Nebraska Legislature](/source/Nebraska_Legislature) from the 15th district | term_start1 = January 7, 1981 | term_end1 = January 6, 1993 | predecessor1 = [Barry Reutzel](/source/Barry_Reutzel) | successor1 = [Ray Janssen](/source/Ray_Janssen) | birth_date = {{birth date|1920|6|12}} | birth_place = [Dodge County, Nebraska](/source/Dodge_County%2C_Nebraska) | death_date = {{death date and age|2009|9|1|1920|6|12}} | death_place = [Fremont, Nebraska](/source/Fremont%2C_Nebraska) | education = [University of Nebraska](/source/University_of_Nebraska%E2%80%93Lincoln) (B.S.) | party = [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) | spouse = {{marriage|Ruth Marion Sloss|1943|1992|end=d.}} | children = 4 (Mark, Kent, James, Nancy) | occupation = Engineer }} '''Lowell C. Johnson''' (June 12, 1920{{spaced ndash}}September 1, 2009) was a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) politician from [Nebraska](/source/Nebraska) who served as a member of the [Nebraska Public Service Commission](/source/Nebraska_Public_Service_Commission) from the 3rd district from 1995 to 2007. Johnson previously served in the [Nebraska Legislature](/source/Nebraska_Legislature) from the 15th district from 1981 to 1993. ==Early career== Johnson was born in [Dodge County](/source/Dodge_County%2C_Nebraska) and graduated from North Bend High School in [North Bend](/source/North_Bend%2C_Nebraska) in 1937.{{cite book|title=Nebraska Blue Book 2004-05|editor-last1=Washburn|editor-first1=Ashley D.|publisher=Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature|date=2005|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/l3000/D001-200405.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2026}} He attended the [University of Nebraska](/source/University_of_Nebraska%E2%80%93Lincoln) and graduated with his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1942. Johnson served in the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II). He worked as an engineer for the [Phillips Petroleum Company](/source/Phillips_Petroleum_Company) and as a plant manager for Watson Industries, and as a field representative for Republican Congressman [Charles Thone](/source/Charles_Thone) prior to his election as Governor. ==Nebraska Legislature== In 1980, Johnson ran for the [Nebraska Legislature](/source/Nebraska_Legislature) in the 15th district, which was based in [Dodge County](/source/Dodge_County%2C_Nebraska), against incumbent senator [Barry Reutzel](/source/Barry_Reutzel).{{cite news|title=Lowell Johnson files for Unicameral race|newspaper=[Fremont Tribune](/source/Fremont_Tribune)|date=February 8, 1980|location=|page=A3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune/192742665/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} Reutzel placed first in the primary over Johnson, winning 55–45 percent.{{cite book|title=Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1980, General Election, November 4, 1980|last=Beermann|first=Allen J.|publisher=Nebraska Secretary of State|year=1980|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1980prim_gen.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2026}} In a "major upset," Johnson defeated Reutzel by a wide margin in the general election,{{cite news|last=Partsch|first=Frank|title=Reagan Coattails Seen in Races|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=November 5, 1980|location=|page=37|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/192743424/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} receiving 57 percent of the vote to Reutzel's 43 percent. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Reutzel was a Democrat and Johnson was a Republican, and the [Nebraska Republican Party](/source/Nebraska_Republican_Party) invested resources in the district to support Johnson.{{cite news|last=Collison|first=Kevin|title=Johnson says oragnization key to victory|newspaper=[Fremont Tribune](/source/Fremont_Tribune)|date=November 5, 1980|location=|page=A1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune/192743586/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}}{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=David|title=Defeat of Incumbent Senators Was Unmatched in 30 Years|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=November 6, 1980|location=|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/192743279/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} Johnson ran for re-election in 1984, and was unopposed in the primary election.{{cite book|title=Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 15, 1984, General Election, November 6, 1984|last=Beermann|first=Allen J.|publisher=Nebraska Secretary of State|year=1984|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1984prim_gen.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2026}} However, after the primary election, Judy Larsen, a farmer and substitute teacher,{{cite news|last=Whitesides|first=John|title=Liberals May Gain in Legislature|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=November 7, 1984|location=|page=14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/192743812/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} successfully petitioned to appear on the ballot and challenged Johnson.{{cite news|title=Hooper's Judy larsen Files for Legislature|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=July 26, 1984|location=|page=60|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/192743788/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} Johnson ultimately defeated Larsen, winning 53 percent of the vote to her 47 percent. He was elected to a third term unopposed in 1988,{{cite news|title=Johnson is unopposed|newspaper=[Fremont Tribune](/source/Fremont_Tribune)|date=October 28, 1988|location=|page=C2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune/192744167/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} and declined to seek a fourth term in 1992.{{cite news|last=Frykberg|first=Dru|title=North Bend senator won't seek 4th term|newspaper=[Fremont Tribune](/source/Fremont_Tribune)|date=February 12, 1992|location=|page=A1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fremont-tribune/192744242/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} ==Nebraska Public Service Commission== In 1994, Johnson announced that he would run for the [Nebraska Public Service Commission](/source/Nebraska_Public_Service_Commission) from the 3rd district, which included most of northeastern Nebraska following redistricting. Incumbent commissioner [Duane Gay](/source/Duane_Gay) was drawn into a neighboring district and declined to seek another term.{{cite news|title=Lowell Johnson hopes to add common name to PSC roster|newspaper=[Lincoln Star](/source/Lincoln_Journal_Star)|date=September 18, 1993|location=|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lincoln-star/192744652/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} He faced former State Senator [Gerald Conway](/source/Gerald_Conway) and truck driver Ted Bailey in the Republican primary,{{cite news|last=Hammel|first=Paul|title=Ex-Senators Say PSC No Retirement Job|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=April 29, 1994|location=|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/192744751/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} and won by a wide margin, receiving 49 percent of the vote to Conway's 31 percent and Bailey's 20 percent.{{cite book|title=Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 10, 1994, General Election, November 8, 1994|last=Beermann|first=Allen J.|publisher=Nebraska Secretary of State|year=1994|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1994prim_gen.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2026}} Johnson faced Democratic nominee Willie Buchholz, a warehouse examiner who worked for the commission, in the general election.{{cite news|last=Powell|first=Joy|title=Four Candidates Make Bid for Two PSC Seats|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=September 14, 1994|location=|page=16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald/192745003/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} He defeated Buchholz in a landslide, receiving 66 percent of the vote. Johnson ran for re-election in 2000, and was challenged in the Republican primary by [Dixon County](/source/Dixon_County%2C_Nebraska) Sheriff Dean Chase.{{cite news|title=Only 29 percent of county residents cast ballots last week|newspaper=Randolph Times|date=May 17, 2000|location=|page=1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-randolph-times/192745269/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} He ultimately defeated Chase to win the primary, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Chase's 41 percent.{{cite book|title=Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 9, 2000, General Election, November 7, 2000|last=Moore|first=Scott|publisher=Nebraska Secretary of State|year=2000|url=https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-2000prim_gen.pdf|access-date=March 5, 2026}} 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. In 2006, Johnson announced that he would not seek re-election to a third term.{{cite news|last=Walton|first=Don|title=Johnson won't seek 3rd term as PSC|newspaper=[Lincoln Journal Star](/source/Lincoln_Journal_Star)|date=January 15, 2006|location=|page=1D|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lincoln-journal-star/192745508/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} ==Death== Johnson died on September 1, 2009, in [Fremont, Nebraska](/source/Fremont%2C_Nebraska).{{cite news|last=Truax|first=Sue Story|title=Lowell Johnson served 12 years in legislature|newspaper=[Omaha World-Herald](/source/Omaha_World-Herald)|date=September 3, 2009|location=|page=5B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-obituary-for-lowell-j/192745571/|via=[Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)|access-date=March 5, 2026}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Lowell}} Category:1920 births Category:2009 deaths Category:Members of the Nebraska Public Service Commission Category:Nebraska state senators Category:People from Dodge County, Nebraska Category:People from Fremont, Nebraska Category:University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni Category:Nebraska Republicans Category:American engineers Category:21st-century Nebraska politicians Category:20th-century members of the Nebraska Legislature --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lowell Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Johnson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowell_Johnson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.