Editing Gary Johnson

{{Short description|Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003}}
{{about other people|the 2012 and 2016 American presidential nominee and former governor of New Mexico}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Gary Johnson
| image               = Gary Johnson by Gage Skidmore 9.jpg
| caption             = Johnson in 2018
| order               = 29th [[List of governors of New Mexico|Governor of New Mexico]]
| lieutenant          = [[Walter Dwight Bradley|Walter Bradley]]
| term_start          = January 1, 1995
| term_end            = January 1, 2003
| predecessor         = [[Bruce King]]
| successor           = [[Bill Richardson]]
| birth_name          = Gary Earl Johnson
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1953|1|1}}
| birth_place         = [[Minot, North Dakota]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] (2011–present)
| otherparty          = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (until 2011)
| spouse              = {{marriage|Denise Simms|1977|2005|end=divorced}}
| partner             = Kate Prusack (engaged 2009)
| children            = 2
| website             = 
| education           = [[University of New Mexico]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
| signature           = Gary Johnson signature.png
| signature_size      = x23px
}}
{{Gary Johnson series}}

'''Gary Earl Johnson''' (born January 1, 1953)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gary-Johnson|title=Gary Johnson {{!}} American business executive and politician|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703182302/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gary-Johnson|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American businessman and politician who served as the 29th [[List of governors of New Mexico|governor of New Mexico]] from 1995 to 2003 as a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. He has been a member of the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] since 2011 and was the party's nominee for [[President of the United States]] in the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]] and [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 elections]]. He was also the Libertarian nominee in the [[2018 United States Senate election in New Mexico|2018 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico]].<ref name="reuters">{{cite web |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-libertarians/libertarians-nominate-ex-governor-gary-johnson-for-president-idUSBRE8440BZ20120506|title=Libertarians nominate ex-Governor Gary Johnson for president| work=[[Reuters]].com|date=May 5, 2012|access-date=May 6, 2012| last=Pratt |first= Timothy| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170912144509/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-libertarians/libertarians-nominate-ex-governor-gary-johnson-for-president-idUSBRE8440BZ20120506|archive-date=September 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="apnews">{{cite web| url= https://apnews.com/d1643929bcbc4dcc81e77390d1d3628e|title= Johnson to make Libertarian bid for Senate seat|work= apnews.com | publisher= [[Associated Press]]|date=August 14, 2018|access-date= August 30, 2018| last= Lee|first=Morgan|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035600/https://apnews.com/d1643929bcbc4dcc81e77390d1d3628e| archive-date=August 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson entered politics for the first time by running for governor of New Mexico in [[1994 New Mexico gubernatorial election|1994]] on a low-tax, anti-crime platform,<ref name="Gary Johnson on the Issues">{{cite news |title=Gary Johnson on the Issues |newspaper=[[The Santa Fe New Mexican]] |date=May 30, 1994 |page=A4 }}</ref> promising a "common-sense business approach". He defeated incumbent [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] governor [[Bruce King]], 50% to 40%. He cut the 10% annual growth in the budget, in part by using the gubernatorial veto 200 times during his first six months.<ref name="No, no, two hundred times">{{cite news |title=No, no, two hundred times no |first=Peter |last=Eichstaedt |newspaper=State Legislatures |date=July 1, 1995 |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17162855.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121105130150/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17162855.html |url-status= dead |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=September 13, 2018 }}</ref> He was unable to convince the state senate to pass any of his motions. Johnson sought reelection in [[1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election|1998]], winning by 55% to 45%. In his second term, he concentrated on the issue of [[school voucher]] reforms as well as campaigning for [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|decriminalization]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.outsideonline.com/1909116/failure-launch |title=Failure to Launch |first=Nick |last= Heil |work=[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]] |date=September 12, 2011 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211305/https://www.outsideonline.com/1909116/failure-launch |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> During his tenure as governor, Johnson adhered to an anti-tax policy, setting state and national records for the number of times he used his [[veto]] power:<ref name="No, no, two hundred times" /> more than the other 49 contemporary governors put together.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/02/2012-republican-presidential-hopeful-gary-johnson-takes-on-his-partys-cardboard-cutouts.html |title=2012 Republican Hopeful Gary Johnson Takes On His Party's 'Cardboard Cutouts' |last1=Davis |first1=Teddy |last2=Loffman |first2=Matt |date= February 9, 2010 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |access-date=November 12, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100212231059/http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/02/2012-republican-presidential-hopeful-gary-johnson-takes-on-his-partys-cardboard-cutouts.html |archive-date= February 12, 2010 }}</ref><ref name="The most interesting Republican">{{cite news |title=The most interesting Republican you've never heard of |first=Niall |last=Stanage |newspaper=[[Salon.com]] |date=May 5, 2010 |url=https://www.salon.com/2010/05/05/gary_johnson_most_interesting_republican/ |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150427/https://www.salon.com/2010/05/05/gary_johnson_most_interesting_republican/ |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Term limit|Term-limited]], Johnson retired from front-line politics in 2003.

Johnson [[Gary Johnson 2012 presidential campaign|ran for president]] in [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]], initially as a Republican on a [[Libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]] platform emphasizing the [[United States public debt]] and a [[balanced budget]], protection of civil liberties, military [[United States non-interventionism|non-interventionism]], replacement of [[income tax]] with the [[FairTax]], and opposition to the [[War on Drugs]].<ref name="marr"/> In December 2011, he withdrew his candidacy for the Republican nomination and ran for the Libertarian nomination instead,<ref name="liberated">{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/liberated-gary-johnson-seeks-libertarian-nomination|title='Liberated' Gary Johnson seeks Libertarian nomination|publisher=CNN|date=December 28, 2011|access-date=December 28, 2011|last=Stewart|first=Rebecca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229005006/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/liberated-gary-johnson-seeks-libertarian-nomination/|archive-date=December 29, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[2012 Libertarian National Convention|winning the nomination]] in May 2012. Johnson received 1.3 million votes (1%), more than all other minor candidates combined.<ref name="million">{{cite web|url=https://reason.com/blog/2012/11/07/gary-johnson-pulls-one-million-votes-one|title=Gary Johnson Pulls One Million Votes, One Percent|work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]|access-date=November 7, 2012|last=Tuccile|first=J.D.|date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109061252/http://reason.com/blog/2012/11/07/gary-johnson-pulls-one-million-votes-one|archive-date=November 9, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson [[Gary Johnson 2016 presidential campaign|ran again for President]] in [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]],<ref name=Johnsonin2016>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/gary-johnson-2016-presidential-bid-217403|title=Libertarian Gary Johnson launches presidential bid|first=Eliza|last=Collins|work=[[Politico]]|date=January 6, 2016|access-date=January 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106220337/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/gary-johnson-2016-presidential-bid-217403|archive-date=January 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> once again winning the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|Libertarian nomination]]. He named former Republican [[governor of Massachusetts]] [[Bill Weld]] as his running mate.<ref name=JohnsonwinsNomination>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gary-johnson-wins-libertarian-nomination-president/story?id=39462969|title=Gary Johnson Wins Libertarian Nomination for President|work=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|date=May 29, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529184935/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gary-johnson-wins-libertarian-nomination-president/story?id=39462969|archive-date=May 29, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson received nearly 4.5 million votes (3.3% of the total vote), which is the most for a third-party presidential candidate since [[1996 United States presidential election|1996]] and the highest national vote share for a [[Libertarian Party (United States)#Presidential candidate performance|Libertarian candidate]] in history. After the 2016 presidential election, Johnson said he would not run for president again.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/888091/gary-johnson-hopes-run-ends-2party-system.html|title=Gary Johnson: 'I have no regrets'|last=Reed|first=Ollie Jr.|date=November 13, 2016|website=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|access-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153910/https://www.abqjournal.com/888091/gary-johnson-hopes-run-ends-2party-system.html|archive-date=December 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He ran for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] as a Libertarian in the [[2018 United States Senate election in New Mexico|2018 New Mexico senate race]] against incumbent Democratic senator [[Martin Heinrich]], coming in third with 15.4% of the statewide vote (107,201 votes).<ref>{{cite web |last=Boyd |first=Dan |title=Gary Johnson makes it official: He's running for U.S. Senate |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/1208890/gary-johnson-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-u-s-senate.html |work=[[Albuquerque Journal]] |date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815112757/https://www.abqjournal.com/1208890/gary-johnson-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-u-s-senate.html |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/06/us/elections/results-new-mexico-elections.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/06/us/elections/results-new-mexico-elections.html |title=New Mexico Election Results |date=November 6, 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=December 13, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 }}{{dead link|date=October 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Johnson has since maintained a low profile and has had little involvement in politics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 25, 2022 |title=Former Gov. Gary Johnson, S.F. resident reflect on grueling 2022 Tour Divide |url=https://news.yahoo.com/former-gov-gary-johnson-f-150400214.html |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Johnson was born on January 1, 1953, in [[Minot, North Dakota]], the son of Lorraine B. (née Bostow), who worked for the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]], and Earl W. Johnson, a [[state school|public school]] teacher and World War II Army veteran who participated in the [[Invasion of Normandy]] and fought at the [[Battle of Bastogne]], earning three [[Purple Heart]]s during his service in the [[101st Airborne Division]].<ref name=qra>{{Cite book |title = Who's Who in the West 1996–1997 |publisher = Marquis Who's Who |year = 1995 |page = 421 |isbn = 0-8379-0926-0 }}</ref> In 1971, Johnson graduated from [[Sandia High School]] in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], where he was on the school [[Track and field|track]] team.<ref>{{cite news |title = From the Yearbook to the White House: The 2012 Republicans in High School |first = Chris |last = Good |newspaper = [[The Atlantic]] |date = May 26, 2011 |url = https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/from-the-yearbook-to-the-white-house-the-2012-republicans-in-high-school/239485/#slide14 |access-date = September 14, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180915001807/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/from-the-yearbook-to-the-white-house-the-2012-republicans-in-high-school/239485/#slide14 |archive-date = September 15, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> He attended the [[University of New Mexico]] (UNM) from 1971 to 1975 and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[political science]]. While at UNM, he joined the [[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/candidates/johnson |title = Candidate: Gary Johnson |work = [[USA Today]] |access-date = November 18, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109111026/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/candidates/johnson |archive-date = November 9, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Candidate Profile from Congressional Quarterly |publisher = CNN |url = http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/G/gary.johnson.html |access-date = July 19, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091204154704/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/G/gary.johnson.html |archive-date = December 4, 2009 |url-status = live }}</ref> It was there that he met his future wife, Denise "Dee" Simms.<ref name="RyanWeapon" /><ref name="Who is Gary Johnson?" />

While in college, Johnson earned money as a door-to-door handyman.<ref name="Newbury">{{cite news |title = Former NM governor talks politics |first = Alex |last = Marciello |url = http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x962031041/Former-NM-governor-talks-politics |newspaper = [[The Daily News of Newburyport]] |access-date = May 7, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110227064229/http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x962031041/Former-NM-governor-talks-politics |archive-date = February 27, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> His success in that industry encouraged him to start his own business, Big J Enterprises, in 1976. When he started the business, which focused on mechanical contracting, Johnson was its only employee.<ref name=Sun /> His firm's major break came when he received a large contract from [[Intel Corporation|Intel]]'s expansion in [[Rio Rancho, New Mexico|Rio Rancho]], which increased Big J's revenue to $38 million.<ref name="He Just Said No to the Drug War">{{cite news|title = He Just Said No to the Drug War|first = Matthew|last = Miller|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|date = August 20, 2000|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/20/magazine/he-just-said-no-to-the-drug-war.html|access-date = September 18, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180918235904/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/20/magazine/he-just-said-no-to-the-drug-war.html|archive-date = September 18, 2018|url-status = live}}</ref>

To cope with the growth of the company, Johnson enrolled in a [[time management]] course at [[wikt:night school|night school]], which he credits with making him heavily goal driven.<ref name="He Just Said No to the Drug War" /> He eventually grew Big J into a multimillion-dollar corporation with over 1,000 employees.<ref>{{cite journal |title = Governor Johnson says what's on his mind |url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5092/is_n1_v19/ai_16575225/ |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120708040654/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5092/is_n1_v19/ai_16575225/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 8, 2012 |journal = New Mexico Business Journal |volume = 19 |date = January–February 1995 |access-date = April 21, 2011 |issue = 1 }}</ref> By the time he sold the company in 1999, it was one of New Mexico's leading construction companies.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://people.forbes.com/profile/governor-gary-e-johnson/3646 |title = Governor Gary E. Johnson |date = May 8, 2011 |work = [[Forbes]] |access-date = June 19, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090619091518/http://people.forbes.com/profile/governor-gary-e-johnson/3646 |archive-date = June 19, 2009 }}</ref>

==Governor of New Mexico==
===First term===
{{See also|1994 New Mexico gubernatorial election}}
Johnson entered politics in 1994 with the intention of running for governor and was advised by "Republican Elders"<ref name="He Just Said No to the Drug War" /> to run for the [[New Mexico Legislature|State Legislature]] instead.<ref name="He Just Said No to the Drug War" /> Despite their advice, Johnson spent $500,000 of his own money and entered the race with the intent of bringing a "common sense business approach" to the office.<ref name="America's Most Dangerous">{{cite news |title = America's Most Dangerous Politician&nbsp;– Republican Governor of New Mexico Gary E. Johnson |first = Michael W. |last = Lynch |newspaper = [[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |date = January 2001 |url = https://reason.com/archives/2001/01/01/americas-most-dangerous-politi/singlepage |access-date = February 7, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110525182352/http://reason.com/archives/2001/01/01/americas-most-dangerous-politi/singlepage |archive-date = May 25, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson's campaign slogan was "People before Politics".<ref>{{cite news |title = Governor sets a fast pace in New Mexico Marathons, vetoes keep him moving |first = Barry |last = Massey |newspaper = [[The Denver Post]] |date = November 26, 1995 }}</ref> His platform emphasized tax cuts, job creation, state government spending growth restraint, and [[Law and order (politics)|law and order]].<ref name="Gary Johnson on the Issues" /> He won the Republican nomination, defeating state legislator [[Richard Cheney (New Mexico Politician)|Richard P. Cheney]] by 34% to 33%, with [[John Dendahl]] and former governor [[David F. Cargo]] in third and fourth. Johnson subsequently won a plurality in the three-way general election, defeating the incumbent Governor [[Bruce King]] (a relatively conservative [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]) and the former Lieutenant Governor [[Roberto Mondragón]] (who ran as a [[Green Party USA|Green]]) with just under 50% of the vote. Johnson was elected in a nationally Republican year, although party registration in the state of New Mexico at the time was 2-to-1 Democratic.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.npr.org/2012/06/21/155504668/gary-johnson-offers-third-choice-in-2012-elections |title = Gary Johnson Offers Third Choice In 2012 Elections |publisher = NPR |date = June 21, 2012 |access-date = January 8, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120622053904/http://www.npr.org/2012/06/21/155504668/gary-johnson-offers-third-choice-in-2012-elections |archive-date = June 22, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

As governor, Johnson followed a strict small-government approach. According to former New Mexico [[Republican National Committee]] member [[Mickey D. Barnett]], "Any time someone approached him about legislation for some purpose, his first response always was to ask if government should be involved in that to begin with."<ref name=Maverick /> He vetoed 200 of 424 bills passed in his first six months in office{{snd}}a national record of 47% of all legislation{{snd}}and used the [[line-item veto]] on most remaining bills.<ref name="No, no, two hundred times" /> In office, Johnson fulfilled his campaign promise to reduce the 10% annual growth of the state budget.<ref name="No, no, two hundred times" /> In his first budget, Johnson proposed a wide range of tax cuts, including a repeal of the prescription drug tax, a $47 million [[State income tax|income tax]] cut, and a 6-cents-per-gallon [[Fuel taxes in the United States|gasoline tax]] cut. However, of these, only the gasoline tax cut was passed.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-257.html |title = A Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 1996 |first1 = Stephen |last1 = Moore |first2 = Dean |last2 = Stansel |date = July 26, 1996 |publisher = [[Cato Institute]] |access-date = November 20, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110523032722/http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-257.html |archive-date = May 23, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> During the [[United States federal government shutdown of 1995 and 1996|November 1995 federal government shutdown]], he joined 20 other Republican governors who called on the Republican leadership in Congress to stand firm against the Clinton administration in budget negotiations; in the article reporting on the letter and concomitant news conference he was quoted as calling for eliminating the [[budget deficit]] through proportional cuts across the budget.<ref>{{cite news |title = Governors In G.O.P. Urge Stand On Budget |first = Ernest |last = Tollerson |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = November 20, 1995 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/20/us/battle-over-the-budget-the-states-governors-in-gop-urge-stand-on-budget.html |access-date = September 14, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150533/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/20/us/battle-over-the-budget-the-states-governors-in-gop-urge-stand-on-budget.html |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Although Johnson worked to reduce overall state spending, in his first term he raised education spending by nearly a third.<ref name="America's boldest governor">{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/1999/04/15/americas-boldest-governor |title=America's boldest governor |date=April 15, 1999 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022652/https://www.economist.com/united-states/1999/04/15/americas-boldest-governor |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> When drop-out rates and test scores showed little improvement, Johnson changed his tactics and began advocating [[School voucher#United States|school vouchers]]{{snd}}a key issue in budget battles of his second term as governor.<ref name="America's boldest governor" />

===Second term===
{{See also|1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election}}
In 1998, Johnson ran for reelection as governor against Democratic Albuquerque [[List of mayors of Albuquerque|Mayor]] [[Martin Chávez]]. In his campaign, Johnson promised to continue the policies of his first term: improving schools; cutting state spending, taxes, and bureaucracy; and frequent use of his veto and line-item veto power.<ref name="renew push">{{cite news |title = Democrats Renew Push in New Mexico | first = B. Drummond Jr. |last = Ayres |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = October 23, 1998 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/23/us/political-briefing-democrats-renew-push-in-new-mexico.html |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150529/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/23/us/political-briefing-democrats-renew-push-in-new-mexico.html |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Fielding a strong Hispanic candidate in a 40% Hispanic state, the Democrats were expected to oust Johnson,<ref name="America's boldest governor" /> but Johnson won by a margin of 55% to 45%.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/G/index.html |title = CNN election results 1998 |access-date = July 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110128103052/http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/G/index.html |archive-date = January 28, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> This made him the first governor of New Mexico to serve two successive four-year terms after term limits were expanded to two terms in 1991.<ref name="America's Most Dangerous" /> Johnson made the promotion of a school voucher system a "hallmark issue" of his second term.<ref name="Parents Lead Way as States">{{cite news |title = Parents Lead Way as States Debate School Vouchers |first = Michael |last = Janofsky |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = January 31, 2000 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/31/us/parents-lead-way-as-states-debate-school-vouchers.html |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150324/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/31/us/parents-lead-way-as-states-debate-school-vouchers.html |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> In 1999, he proposed the first statewide voucher system in America, which would have enrolled 100,000 students in its first year.<ref name="America's boldest governor" />

That year, he vetoed two budgets that failed to include a voucher program and a government shutdown was threatened,<ref name="America's boldest governor" /> but ultimately yielded to Democratic majorities in both houses of the New Mexico Legislature, who opposed the plan. Johnson signed the budget, but line-item vetoed a further $21&nbsp;million, or 1%, from the legislative plan.<ref>{{cite news |title = $21 Million Vetoed in Budget |first = Michael |last = Janofsky |newspaper = [[Albuquerque Journal]] |date = May 14, 1999 |url = https://www.abqjournal.com/news/xgr99/1legis05-14.htm |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223652/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/xgr99/1legis05-14.htm |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> In 1999, Johnson became one of the highest-ranking elected officials in the US to advocate the legalization of marijuana.<ref>{{cite news |title = Antidrug Program's End Stirs Up Salt Lake City |first = Michael |last = Janofsky |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = September 16, 2000 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/16/us/antidrug-program-s-end-stirs-up-salt-lake-city.html |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913184917/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/16/us/antidrug-program-s-end-stirs-up-salt-lake-city.html |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Saying the [[War on Drugs]] was "an expensive bust", he advocated the decriminalization of marijuana use and concentration on harm-reduction measures for all other illegal drugs.<ref name="Monday Profile"/> He compared attempts to enforce the nation's drug laws with the [[Prohibition in the United States|failed attempt at alcohol prohibition]]. In remarks in 2011, he noted: "Half of what government spends on police, courts and prisons is to deal with drug offenders."<ref name=Sun /> He suggested that drug abuse be treated as a health issue, not as a criminal issue. His approach to the issue garnered supportive notice from conservative icon [[William F. Buckley]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Buckley |first=William F. |date=June 29, 2004 |url=http://old.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley200406291207.asp |title=Free Weeds: The marijuana debate |work=[[National Review]] |access-date=April 21, 2011 |author-link=William F. Buckley |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808091214/http://old.nationalreview.com/buckley/buckley200406291207.asp |archive-date=August 8, 2010 }}</ref> as well as the [[Cato Institute]] and ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.<ref name="He Just Said No to the Drug War" /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-new-coalition-against-the-drug-war-47219/ |title=The New Coalition Against the Drug War: Why right-wingers, minorities and ravers are banding together to fight unjust drug laws |first=Erika |last=Casriel |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 2, 2001 |access-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193634/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-new-coalition-against-the-drug-war-47219/ |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2000, Johnson proposed a more ambitious voucher program than he had proposed the year before, under which each parent would receive $3,500 per child for education at any [[private school|private]] or [[parochial school]].<ref name="Parents Lead Way as States" /> The Democrats sought $90m extra school funding without school vouchers, and questioned Johnson's request for more funding for state-run prisons, having opposed his opening of two private prisons.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2000/03/14/political-brawl-leaves-new-mexico-without-budget |title = Political Brawl Leaves New Mexico Without Budget |first = Jon |last = Lieberman |date = March 14, 2000 |publisher = [[Pew Charitable Trusts]] |access-date = May 8, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081127182751/http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=13954 |archive-date = November 27, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Negotiations between the governor and the legislature were contentious, again nearly leading to a [[government shutdown]]. In 2000, New Mexico was devastated by the [[Cerro Grande Fire]]. Johnson's handling of the disaster earned him accolades from ''[[The Denver Post]]'', which observed that:
<blockquote> Johnson.....was all over the Cerro Grande Fire last week. He helped reporters understand where the fire was headed when low-level Forest Service officials couldn't, ran herd over the bureaucratic process of getting state and federal agencies and the National Guard involved, and even helped put out some of the fire with his feet. On a tour of Los Alamos last Wednesday, when he saw small flames spreading across a lawn, he had his driver stop his car. He jumped out and stomped on the flames, as did his wife and some of his staffers.<ref name="Monday Profile">{{cite news |title = Monday Profile: N.M. Gov. Gary Johnson |first = Jim |last = Hughes |url = http://extras.denverpost.com/news/profile0515.htm |newspaper = [[The Denver Post]] |date = 15 May 2000 |access-date = 7 May 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110307035502/http://extras.denverpost.com/news/profile0515.htm |archive-date = March 7, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> </blockquote> Johnson's leadership during the fire was praised by Democratic Congressman [[Tom Udall]], who said: "I think the real test of leadership is when you have circumstances like this. He's called on his reserves of energy and has just been a really excellent leader under very difficult circumstances here."<ref name="Monday Profile" /> Johnson rebuffed efforts by the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] to [[Draft (politics)|draft]] him in the [[2000 United States presidential election|2000 presidential election]], stating himself to be a Republican with no interest in running for president.<ref>{{cite news |title = New Mexico Governor Resists Draft Efforts by Libertarians |first = Michael |last = Janofsky |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |date = October 7, 1999 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/07/us/new-mexico-governor-resists-draft-efforts-by-libertarians.html |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180915004936/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/07/us/new-mexico-governor-resists-draft-efforts-by-libertarians.html |archive-date = September 15, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Reception===
According to anonymous sources, Governor Johnson was known for a lack of interest in policy details<ref name="Samuels">{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Samuels |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/years-before-aleppo-moment-gary-johnson-showed-little-interest-in-details-of-governing/2016/10/03/f62a00fa-873d-11e6-92c2-14b64f3d453f_story.html |title=Years before 'Aleppo moment,' Gary Johnson showed little interest in details of governing |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 3, 2016 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914141506/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/years-before-aleppo-moment-gary-johnson-showed-little-interest-in-details-of-governing/2016/10/03/f62a00fa-873d-11e6-92c2-14b64f3d453f_story.html |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and those who worked with Johnson at the time "recall a chief executive who would speed through meetings and often preferred to discuss his fitness routine than focus on the minutiae of policymaking."<ref name="Samuels"/> In his first term, he frequently clashed with the legislature, but in the second term, he "became more comfortable with the limits of his executive power" and took a more conciliatory approach.<ref name="Samuels"/>

[[File:Gary Johnson at the Rally for the Republic.jpg|thumb|left|Johnson at [[Ron Paul]]'s "Rally for the Republic" in 2008]]
Commentator [[Andrew Sullivan]] quoted a claim that Johnson "is highly regarded in the state for his outstanding leadership during two terms as governor. He slashed the size of state government during his term and left the state with a large budget surplus."<ref name=Sullivan>{{cite web |last = Sullivan |first = Andrew |author-link = Andrew Sullivan |title = The Tea Party On Prohibition: Lovin' It |url = https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2011/01/the-tea-party-on-prohibition-lovin-it/177056/ |series = The Daily Dish |work = [[The Atlantic]] |date = January 19, 2011 |access-date = April 21, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110523201114/http://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2011/01/the-tea-party-on-prohibition-lovin-it/177056 |archive-date = May 23, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> In an interview in [[Reason (magazine)|''Reason'']] in January 2001, Johnson's accomplishments in office were described as follows: "no tax increases in six years, a major road building program, shifting [[Medicaid]] to [[managed care]], constructing two new private prisons, canning 1,200 state employees, and vetoing a record number of bills."<ref name="America's Most Dangerous" /> According to one New Mexico paper, "Johnson left the state fiscally solid" and was "arguably the most popular governor of the decade... leaving the state with a $1 billion budget surplus."<ref>{{cite news |last = Gardner |first = Jeffry |date = January 6, 2011 |url = https://www.lamonitor.com/content/more-10-years-have-past-feared-2000-disaster |title = More than 10 years have past since the feared 2000 disaster |publisher = Los Alamos Monitor |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185017/https://www.lamonitor.com/content/more-10-years-have-past-feared-2000-disaster |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> ''[[The Washington Times]]'' reported that when Johnson left office, "the size of state government had been substantially reduced and New Mexico was enjoying a large budget surplus."<ref name=Maverick>{{cite news |title = Maverick N.M. politician always on trail |first = Ralph Z. |last = Hollow |url = https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/6/maverick-nm-politician-always-on-trail/ |newspaper = [[The Washington Times]] |date = February 6, 2011 |access-date = April 21, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110210104854/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/6/maverick-nm-politician-always-on-trail/ |archive-date = February 10, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> In a 2016 ''[[National Review]]'' article, Johnson was criticized for claiming to have balanced New Mexico's budget every year.<ref name=NeverGJ>{{cite news|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/05/gary-johnson-libertarian-party-2016-conservatives/|title='Never Gary Johnson': He's Not Conservative and Not Even All That Libertarian|work=[[National Review]]|author=James Spiller|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709174325/https://www.nationalreview.com/2016/05/gary-johnson-libertarian-party-2016-conservatives/|archive-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Constitution of New Mexico]] requires that the state budget be balanced,<ref name=NeverGJ/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://nmpolitics.net/index/2018/08/analysts-predict-big-state-budget-surplus-urge-caution/|title=Analysts predict big state budget surplus, urge caution|work=NM Politics|author=Matthew Reichbach|date=August 23, 2013|access-date=October 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014053128/https://nmpolitics.net/index/2018/08/analysts-predict-big-state-budget-surplus-urge-caution/|archive-date=October 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> with its debt in a separate "capital outlay" budget.<ref name=NeverGJ/> The article stated that under Johnson New Mexico's debt increased from $1.8 billion to $4.6 billion<ref name=NeverGJ/> and its budget increased from $4.397 billion to $7.721 billion.<ref name=NeverGJ/>

According to a 2011 profile of Johnson in the ''National Review'', "During his tenure, he vetoed more bills than the other 49 governors combined{{snd}}750 in total, one third of which had been introduced by Republican legislators. Johnson also used his line-item-veto power thousands of times. He credits his heavy veto pen for eliminating New Mexico's budget deficit and cutting the growth rate of New Mexico's government in half."<ref name=Bolduc>{{cite news |last = Bolduc |first = Brian |date = January 3, 2011 |url = https://www.nationalreview.com/2011/01/2012-year-libertarian-brian-bolduc/ |title = 2012: Year of the Libertarian? |work = [[National Review]] |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-date = November 5, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214519/https://www.nationalreview.com/2011/01/2012-year-libertarian-brian-bolduc/ |url-status = live }}</ref> According to the ''[[Myrtle Beach Sun News]]'', Johnson "said his numerous vetoes, only two of which were overridden, stemmed from his philosophy of looking at all things for their [[cost–benefit ratio]] and his axe fell on Republicans as well as Democrats."<ref name=Sun>{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Steve |date=February 1, 2011 |url=http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2011/02/01/1955144/mb-tea-party-hears-from-presidential.html |title=Myrtle Beach Tea Party hears from presidential hopeful |publisher=Myrtle Beach Sun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813052610/http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2011/02/01/1955144/mb-tea-party-hears-from-presidential.html |archive-date=August 13, 2012 }}</ref>

While in office, Johnson was criticized for opposing funding for an independent study of private prisons after a series of riots and killings at the facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.amarillo.com/stories/090399/new_prisons.shtml |title = Johnson opposes independent study of private prisons |agency = Associated Press |date = September 3, 1999 |last = Massey |first = Barry |access-date = January 9, 2013 |work=[[Amarillo Globe-News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714184421/http://www.amarillo.com/stories/090399/new_prisons.shtml |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> Martin Chavez, his opponent in the 1998 New Mexico gubernatorial race, criticized Johnson for his frequent vetoing of programs, suggesting that it resulted in New Mexico's low economic and social standing nationally.<ref name="renew push" /> Journalist [[Mark Ames]] described Johnson as "a hard-core conservative" who "ruled the state like a right-wing authoritarian" and only embraced marijuana legalization in his second term for populist gain.<ref name=Ames /> This was mainly in reference to a commercial from Johnson's reelection campaign featuring Johnson saying that a felon in New Mexico would serve "every lousy second" of their prison sentence. Johnson insisted, however, that the commercial was directed at "the guy who's got his gun out" rather than nonviolent drug offenders.<ref name=Ames>{{cite web |last = Ames |first = Mark |title = The Gary Johnson Swindle and the Degradation of Third Party Politics |work = NSFWCORP |url = http://nsfwcorp.com/dispatch/gary-johnson-swindle |publisher = nsfwcorp.com |access-date = November 16, 2012 |date = November 6, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121109052505/http://nsfwcorp.com/dispatch/gary-johnson-swindle |archive-date = November 9, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Post governorship===
Johnson was [[Term limits in the United States|term limited]] and could not run for a third consecutive term as governor in 2002.<ref>{{Cite journal |url = http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/BOS4-9.pdf |title = Constitutional and statutory provisions for number of consecutive terms of elected state officials |publisher = National Governors Association |access-date = April 27, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629023725/http://www.nga.org/files/pdf/BOS4-9.pdf |archive-date = June 29, 2011 }}</ref> In the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]] campaign, Johnson endorsed [[Ron Paul]] for the Republican nomination, "because of his commitment to less government, greater liberty, and lasting prosperity for America."<ref name="paulendorsement">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/21/idUS154136+21-Jan-2008+BW20080121 |title=Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson Endorses Ron Paul |date=January 21, 2008 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615210807/https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/21/idUS154136%2B21-Jan-2008%2BBW20080121 |archive-date=June 15, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = George Dance |url = http://www.nolanchart.com/article7243-gary-johnson-and-our-america.html |title = Gary Johnson and Our America |publisher = Nolan Chart |date = January 11, 2010 |access-date = May 17, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120113082116/http://www.nolanchart.com/article7243-gary-johnson-and-our-america.html |archive-date = January 13, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson spoke at Paul's "Rally for the Republic" on September 2, 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/02/paul.convention/ |title = Thousands rally at Ron Paul convention |last = Keck |first = Kristi |date = September 3, 2008 |publisher = CNN |access-date = November 19, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130131092251/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/02/paul.convention/ |archive-date = January 31, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Johnson serves on the Advisory Council of [[Students for Sensible Drug Policy]],<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://ssdp.org/about/advisory-council/ |title = Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Advisory Council |year = 2010 |access-date = September 22, 2011 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120720062732/http://ssdp.org/about/advisory-council/ |archive-date = July 20, 2012 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> a student [[nonprofit]] organization which advocates for drug policy reform.

{{as of|2011|4}}, he serves on the board of directors of [[Students For Liberty]], a nonprofit libertarian organization.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://studentsforliberty.org/leadership/ |title = Leadership |publisher = [[Students For Liberty]] |access-date = April 21, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120623073141/http://studentsforliberty.org/leadership/ |archive-date = June 23, 2012 |url-status = dead }}</ref> His first book, ''Seven Principles of Good Government'', was published on August 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=T09BLgEACAAJ |title = Seven Principles of Good Government: Gary Johnson on Politics, People and Freedom: Insights from the 2012 Libertarian Party Nominee for P |access-date = January 10, 2013 |isbn = 9781563439131 |date = August 1, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140102130944/http://books.google.com/books/about/Seven_Principles_of_Good_Government.html?id=T09BLgEACAAJ |archive-date = January 2, 2014 |url-status = live |last1 = Johnson |first1 = Gary |publisher = Silver Lake }}</ref>

==2012 presidential campaign==
{{Main|Gary Johnson 2012 presidential campaign}}

===Early campaign===
[[File:Our America logo.jpg|thumb|right|Logo of the [[Our America Initiative]], which Johnson founded in 2009]]
[[File:Gary_Johnson_2012.jpeg|right|thumb|Johnson after a campaign rally in a photo shoot for ''[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]'']]
In 2009, Johnson began indicating interest in running for president in the 2012 election.<ref name="Kauffman">{{cite magazine |url = http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-republic-strikes-back/ |title = The Republic Strikes Back |magazine = [[The American Conservative]] |author = Bill Kauffman |access-date = April 4, 2009 |date = April 21, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120913060753/http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-republic-strikes-back/ |archive-date = September 13, 2012 |url-status = live |author-link = Bill Kauffman }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.770kkob.com/Article.asp?id=1564031&spid=18042 |title = Ex-Gov Mulls Presidential Bid |publisher = 770 KKOB AM |author = 24 Hour Newsroom |access-date = October 28, 2009 |date = October 27, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707070020/http://www.770kkob.com/Article.asp?id=1564031&spid=18042 |archive-date = July 7, 2011 }}</ref> In the April 20, 2009, edition of ''[[The American Conservative]]'' magazine, [[Bill Kauffman]] told readers to "keep an eye out" for a Johnson presidential campaign in 2012, reporting that Johnson had told him that "he was keeping his options open for 2012" and that "he may take a shot at the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 as an antiwar, anti-[[Federal Reserve System|Fed]], pro-personal liberties, slash-government-spending candidate{{snd}}in other words, a Ron Paul libertarian".<ref name="Kauffman" />  During a June 24, 2009, appearance on [[Fox News]]'s ''[[Freedom Watch]]'', host Judge [[Andrew Napolitano]] asked Johnson if he would run for president in 2012, to which Johnson responded that he thought it would be inappropriate to openly express his desires before President Obama is given the opportunity to prove himself, but he followed up that statement by saying "it appears personal freedoms are being shoveled out the window more and more."<ref>{{cite video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iTfuxBe-JI |title = Pt 5/6 Freedom Watch Napolitano Ron Paul Lew Rockwell Gary Johnson David Boaz & more 6-24-09 |time = 1:58 |publisher = YouTube |date = June 24, 2009 |access-date = November 11, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150620213854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iTfuxBe-JI |archive-date = June 20, 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref>

In an October 26, 2009, interview with the ''[[Santa Fe New Mexican]]'s'' Steve Terrell, Johnson announced his decision to form an advocacy committee called the [[Our America Initiative]] to help him raise funds and promote small government ideas. In December 2009, Johnson asked strategist Ron Nielson of NSON Opinion Strategy, who has worked with Johnson since 1993 when he ran his successful gubernatorial campaign, to organize the Our American Initiative as a [[501(c)(4)]] committee. Nielson serves as a senior advisor to Our America Initiative. The stated focus of the organization is to "speak out on issues regarding topics such as government efficiency, lowering taxes, ending the war on drugs, protecting civil liberties, revitalizing the economy and promoting entrepreneurship and privatization".<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson |first=Gary |title=OUR America Initiative |url=http://ouramericainitiative.com/about-the-initiative |website=Ouramericainitiative.com |publisher=[[Our America Initiative]] |access-date=April 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429175654/http://ouramericainitiative.com/about-the-initiative |archive-date=April 29, 2011 }}</ref> The move prompted speculation among media pundits and Johnson's supporters that he might be laying the groundwork for a 2012 presidential run.<ref>{{cite news |author = Steve Terrell |date = October 26, 2009 |url = http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Group-wants-Johnson-back-on-ballot |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120908125408/http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Group-wants-Johnson-back-on-ballot |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 8, 2012 |title = Group wants Johnson on presidential ballot |newspaper = [[The Santa Fe New Mexican]] |access-date = October 27, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1236534.shtml?cat=504 |title = Supporters call for former Gov. Johnson to run for president |publisher = KOB News 4 |author = Gadi Schwartz |access-date = November 6, 2009 |date = November 5, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100109030332/http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S1236534.shtml?cat=504 |archive-date = January 9, 2010 }}</ref> Throughout 2010, Johnson repeatedly deflected questions about a 2012 presidential bid by saying his 501(c)(4) status prevented him from expressing a desire to run for federal office on politics.<ref>{{cite web |last = Hannity |first = Sean |date = May 10, 2010 |url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/controversial-republican-eyeing-white-house |title = Controversial Republican Eyeing White House? |publisher = [[Fox News Channel]] |access-date = August 31, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120818121559/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,592532,00.html |archive-date = August 18, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Wallsten |first = Peter |date = August 9, 2010 |url = https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/09/washington-wire-q-a-gary-johnson/ |title = Washington Wire Q & A: Gary Johnson |work = [[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date = August 31, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100914032253/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/09/washington-wire-q-a-gary-johnson/ |archive-date = September 14, 2010 |url-status = live }}</ref>

In February 2010, Johnson was a featured speaker at both the [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) and the [[Republican Liberty Caucus]].{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} At CPAC, "the crowd liked him{{snd}}even as he pushed some of his more controversial points."<ref name=Good>{{cite news |last = Good |first = Chris |date = February 11, 2011 |url = https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/is-gary-johnson-the-next-ron-paul/71135/ |title = Is Gary Johnson the Next Ron Paul? |work = [[The Atlantic]] |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180913184945/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/is-gary-johnson-the-next-ron-paul/71135/ |archive-date = September 13, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson tied with New Jersey Governor [[Chris Christie]] for third in the CPAC Straw Poll, trailing only Ron Paul and [[Mitt Romney]] (and ahead of such notables as former [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] [[Newt Gingrich]], former Minnesota Governor [[Tim Pawlenty]], Indiana Governor [[Mitch Daniels]] and former Alaska Governor and 2008 [[Vice President of the United States|vice presidential]] candidate Sarah Palin).<ref>{{cite news|last=Falcone |first=Michael |date=February 12, 2011 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/02/ron-paul-cpac-straw-poll-winner-2011/ |title=Ron Paul Wins 2011 CPAC Straw Poll, Sarah Palin Finishes a Distant 9th Place |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130233349/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/02/ron-paul-cpac-straw-poll-winner-2011/ |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2018 }}</ref> [[David Weigel]] of ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' called Johnson the second-biggest winner of the conference, writing that his "third-place showing in the straw poll gave Johnson his first real media hook&nbsp;... He met tons of reporters, commanded a small scrum after the vote, and is a slightly lighter shade of dark horse now."<ref>{{cite web |author-link=David Weigel |last=Weigel |first=David |date=February 14, 2011 |url=http://www.slate.com/content/slate/blogs/weigel/2011/02/14/who_won_cpac.html |title=Who Won CPAC? |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913151219/http://www.slate.com/content/slate/blogs/weigel/2011/02/14/who_won_cpac.html |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Republican presidential candidacy===
On April 21, 2011, Johnson announced via [[Twitter]], "I am running for president."<ref>{{cite news |first = Sahil |last = Kapur |date = April 21, 2011 |title = Pro-pot, anti-war Republican Gary Johnson running for president |url = https://www.rawstory.com/2011/04/pro-pot-anti-war-republican-gary-johnson-running-for-president/ |work = [[The Raw Story]] |access-date = April 21, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151104232309/http://www.rawstory.com/2011/04/pro-pot-anti-war-republican-gary-johnson-running-for-president/ |archive-date = November 4, 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref> He followed this announcement with a speech at the [[New Hampshire State House]] in [[Concord, New Hampshire]].<ref name=marr>{{cite news |url = https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/johnson-i-am-running-for-president-053532http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53532.html |title = Gary Johnson makes 2012 presidential run official |work = [[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]] |date = April 21, 2011 |access-date = April 21, 2011 |first = Kendra |last = Marr }}{{dead link|date=October 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He was the first of an eventually large field to announce his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination.<ref name=gqprofile>{{cite web |url = https://www.gq.com/story/gary-johnson-republican-candidate-debate-interview?currentPage=1 |access-date = September 14, 2018 |title = Is This the Sanest Man Running for President? |first = Lisa |last = Depaulo |date = November 2011 |work = [[GQ]] |publisher = [[Condé Nast]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180830073739/https://www.gq.com/story/gary-johnson-republican-candidate-debate-interview?currentPage=1 |archive-date = August 30, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson again chose Ron Nielson of NSON Opinion Strategy, a director for both of his New Mexico gubernatorial campaigns, as his presidential campaign manager and senior advisor.<ref name=gqprofile /> The campaign was headquartered in [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]], where Nielson's offices are located.<ref name=gqprofile /> Johnson's economics advisor was [[Harvard University|Harvard]] economics professor [[Jeffrey Miron]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.politico.com/2012-election/gary-johnson/campaign-insiders/index.html |title = Johnson Key Staff and Advisers |website = Politico.com |publisher = Politico LLC |access-date = July 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629093330/http://www.politico.com/2012-election/gary-johnson/campaign-insiders/index.html |archive-date = June 29, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> Initially, Johnson hoped Ron Paul would not run for president so that Johnson could galvanize Paul's network of libertarian-minded voters, and he even traveled to Houston to tell Paul of his decision to run in person,<ref name=gqprofile /> but Paul announced [[Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2012|his candidacy]] on May 13, 2011.

Johnson participated in the first of the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential debates, 2012|Republican presidential debates]], hosted by Fox News in [[South Carolina]] on May 5, 2011, appearing on stage with [[Herman Cain]], Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, and [[Rick Santorum]]. Mitt Romney and [[Michele Bachmann]] both declined to debate. Johnson was excluded from the next three debates on June 13 (hosted by [[CNN]] in [[New Hampshire]]), August 11 (hosted by Fox News in [[Iowa]]), and September 7 (hosted by CNN in [[California]]).<ref name=gqprofile /> After the first exclusion, Johnson made a 43-minute video responding to each of the debate questions, which he posted on [[YouTube]].<ref name=gqprofile /><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/06/gary-johnson-crashes-the-nh-republican-debate/240477/ |title = Gary Johnson Crashes the N.H. Republican Debate |author-link = Conor Friedersdorf |first = Conor |last = Friedersdorf |date = June 15, 2011 |work = [[The Atlantic]] |publisher = The Atlantic Monthly Group |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180918231159/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/06/gary-johnson-crashes-the-nh-republican-debate/240477/ |archive-date = September 18, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> The first exclusion, which was widely publicized, gave Johnson "a little bump" in name recognition and produced "a small uptick" in donations.<ref name=gqprofile /> But "the long term consequences were dismal."<ref name=gqprofile /> For the financial quarter ending June 30, Johnson raised a mere $180,000.<ref name=gqprofile />  Fox News decided that because Johnson polled at least 2% in five recent polls, he could participate in a September 22 debate in Florida, which it co-hosted with the Florida Republican Party (the party objected to Johnson's inclusion).<ref name=gqprofile /> Johnson participated, appearing on stage with Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, [[Rick Perry]], Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum. During the debate, Johnson delivered what many media outlets, including the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', and ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', called the best line of the night: "My next-door neighbor's two dogs have created more [[shovel ready]] jobs than this administration."<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-sep-23-la-pn-gary-johnson-dog-poop-20110923-story.html |title = Gary Johnson cleaning up with his dog poop quip |author = Michael Muskal |date = September 23, 2011 |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121106040735/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/23/news/la-pn-gary-johnson-dog-poop-20110923 |archive-date = November 6, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://swampland.time.com/2011/09/23/what-you-missed-while-not-watching-the-fox-newsgoogle-debate/?xid=rss-top-aol |title = What You Missed While Not Watching the Fox News/Google Debate |first = Michael |last = Scherer |date = September 23, 2011 |magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170222141206/http://swampland.time.com/2011/09/23/what-you-missed-while-not-watching-the-fox-newsgoogle-debate/?xid=rss-top-aol |archive-date = February 22, 2017 |url-status = live }}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' opined that Johnson had won the debate.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.ew.com/article/2011/09/23/republican-presidential-debate-gary-johnson/ |title = Gary Johnson and neighbor's two dogs win Republican presidential debate |author = Jeff Labrecque |date = September 23, 2011 |magazine = Entertainment Weekly |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180918231014/https://www.ew.com/article/2011/09/23/republican-presidential-debate-gary-johnson/ |archive-date = September 18, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Libertarian presidential nomination and campaign===
Although Johnson had focused the majority of his campaign activities on the New Hampshire primary, he announced on November 29, 2011, that he would no longer campaign there due to his inability to gain traction with less than a month until the primary.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://patch.com/new-hampshire/portsmouth-nh/gary-johnson-throws-in-the-towel-in-nh |title = Gary Johnson Throws in the Towel in NH |publisher = Portsmouth Patch |date = November 29, 2011 |last = Fortier |first = Mark |access-date = January 8, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160326044639/http://patch.com/new-hampshire/portsmouth-nh/gary-johnson-throws-in-the-towel-in-nh |archive-date = March 26, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> There was speculation in the media that he might run as a Libertarian Party candidate instead. Johnson acknowledged that he was considering such a move.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/315224 |title = Gov. Gary Johnson may run for U.S. President as a Libertarian |work = Digital Journal |date = November 29, 2011 |access-date = December 1, 2011 |last = Moran |first = Andrew |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111201232809/http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/315224 |archive-date = December 1, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Friedersdorf |first = Conor |date = November 30, 2011 |url = https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/11/will-gary-johnson-seek-the-libertarian-partys-nomination/249254/ |title = Will Gary Johnson Seek the Libertarian Party's Nomination? |work = The Atlantic |access-date = December 1, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111202015338/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/11/will-gary-johnson-seek-the-libertarian-partys-nomination/249254/ |archive-date = December 2, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date = December 2, 2011 |url = http://1787network.com/2011/12/2011-12-02-liberty-underground-hour-1/3193 |title = Interview with Gary Johnson |publisher = Liberty Underground / 1787 Network |access-date = December 3, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111204234002/http://1787network.com/2011/12/2011-12-02-liberty-underground-hour-1/3193 |archive-date = December 4, 2011 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In December, ''[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]'' reported that Johnson would quit the Republican primaries and announce his intention to seek the Libertarian Party nomination at a December 28 press conference.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |title=Johnson to run as Libertarian |url=http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=2FD09189-6818-4832-BFC6-89FD845A0423 |publisher=Politico |date=December 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627174037/http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=2FD09189-6818-4832-BFC6-89FD845A0423 |archive-date=June 27, 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:GaryJohnsonLPConvention2012.jpg|thumb|right|Gary Johnson at the [[2012 Libertarian National Convention]]]]
On December 28, 2011, Johnson formally withdrew his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, and declared his candidacy for the [[2012 Libertarian National Convention|2012 presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party]] in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], New Mexico.<ref name=liberated /> On May 5, 2012, at the 2012 Libertarian National Convention, Johnson received the Libertarian Party's official nomination for president in the 2012 election, by a vote of 419 votes to 152 votes for second-place candidate [[R. Lee Wrights]].<ref name="reuters" /><ref name="ballot">{{cite web |url = http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/05/05/gary-johnson-nominated-by-libertarian-party-on-first-ballot/ |title = Gary Johnson Nominated by Libertarian Party on First Ballot |work = [[Ballot Access News]] |date = May 5, 2012 |access-date = May 5, 2012 |author = Winger, Richard |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120510112009/http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/05/05/gary-johnson-nominated-by-libertarian-party-on-first-ballot/ |archive-date = May 10, 2012 |url-status = live |author-link = Richard Winger }}</ref> In his acceptance speech, Johnson asked the convention's delegates to nominate as his running mate [[Jim Gray (jurist)|Judge Jim Gray]] of California.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ocweekly.com/libertarian-presidential-candidate-gary-johnson-give-me-orange-countys-jim-gray-as-vp-6454154/ |title = Libertarian Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson: Give Me Orange County's Jim Gray as VP |work = [[OC Weekly]] |date = May 5, 2012 |access-date = September 18, 2018 |last = Moxley |first = R. Scott |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180918190838/https://www.ocweekly.com/libertarian-presidential-candidate-gary-johnson-give-me-orange-countys-jim-gray-as-vp-6454154/ |archive-date = September 18, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Gray subsequently received the party's vice-presidential nomination on the first ballot.<ref name="ballot" />

Johnson spent the early months of his campaign making media appearances on television programs such as ''[[The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]''<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12322633-gary-johnson-visits-the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart |title = Gary Johnson visits 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' |publisher = Allvoices.com |date = June 5, 2012 |author = Puditty |access-date = January 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606200900/https://allvoices.com/contributed-news/12322633-gary-johnson-visits-the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart |archive-date=June 6, 2012 }}</ref> and ''[[Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.mediaite.com/tv/penn-jillette-gary-johnson-lament-nys-marijuana-decriminalization-doesnt-go-far-enough/ |title = Penn Jillette & Gary Johnson Lament NY's Marijuana Decriminalization Doesn't Go Far Enough |publisher = [[Mediaite]] |date = June 6, 2012 |last = Crugnale |first = James |access-date = January 10, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130125113553/http://www.mediaite.com/tv/penn-jillette-gary-johnson-lament-nys-marijuana-decriminalization-doesnt-go-far-enough/ |archive-date = January 25, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> Starting in September 2012, Johnson embarked on a three-week tour of college campuses throughout the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/Ken-Walshs-Washington/2012/09/11/gary-johnson-could-spoil-romneys-chances |title = Gary Johnson Could Spoil Romney's Chances |magazine = U.S. News & World Report |date = September 11, 2012 |last = Walsh |first = Kenneth |access-date = January 10, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121101152055/http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/Ken-Walshs-Washington/2012/09/11/gary-johnson-could-spoil-romneys-chances |archive-date = November 1, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.npr.org/2012/09/26/161796972/libertarian-presidential-candidate-could-influence-election |title = Libertarian Candidate Could Be Election Spoiler |publisher = NPR |date = September 26, 2012 |last = Rose |first = Joel |access-date = January 10, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121204101235/http://www.npr.org/2012/09/26/161796972/libertarian-presidential-candidate-could-influence-election |archive-date = December 4, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> On October 23, 2012, Gary Johnson participated in a third-party debate that was aired on [[C-SPAN]], [[Russia Today|RT America]], and [[Al Jazeera English]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/video/blog/2012/10/presidential_hopefuls_take_sta.html |title=Presidential Hopefuls Meet in Third Party Debate |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |publisher=PBS |date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027162558/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/video/blog/2012/10/presidential_hopefuls_take_sta.html |archive-date=October 27, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author = Derek Rosenfeld |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/derek-rosenfeld/third-party-debate-drugs_b_2010109.html |title = Larry King Hosts Third Party Debate: Presidential Candidates Slam the Drug War |work = Huffington Post |date = October 25, 2012 |access-date = November 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121101144036/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/derek-rosenfeld/third-party-debate-drugs_b_2010109.html |archive-date = November 1, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> A post-debate online election allowed people to choose two candidates from the debate they thought had won to face each other head-to-head in a run-off debate. Gary Johnson and [[Jill Stein]] won the poll.<ref>{{cite news |author = Josh Hicks |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/10/26/gary-johnson-and-jill-stein-will-debate-one-on-one/ |title = Gary Johnson and Jill Stein will debate one-on-one |newspaper = The Washington Post |date = October 26, 2012 |access-date = November 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102155349/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/10/26/gary-johnson-and-jill-stein-will-debate-one-on-one/ |archive-date = November 2, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

Johnson stated that his goal was to win at least 5 percent of the vote, as winning 5 percent would allow Libertarian Party candidates equal [[Election threshold|ballot access]] and [[Presidential election campaign fund checkoff|federal funding]] during the next election cycle.<ref>{{cite news |author = Karoun Demirjian |url = https://lasvegassun.com/news/2012/oct/05/libertarian-candidate-makes-push-nevadas-ron-paul-/ |title = Libertarian candidate makes push for Nevada's Ron Paul supporters |newspaper = [[Las Vegas Sun]] |date = October 5, 2012 |access-date = November 2, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121028015413/http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/oct/05/libertarian-candidate-makes-push-nevadas-ron-paul-/ |archive-date = October 28, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Why 5% matters to Gary Johnson |url = http://ivn.us/2012/11/01/why-5-matters-to-gary-johnson/ |author = Lucas Eaves |date = November 1, 2012 |publisher = Independent Voter Network |access-date = November 6, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130618034013/http://ivn.us/2012/11/01/why-5-matters-to-gary-johnson/ |archive-date = June 18, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> In a national [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] poll of likely registered voters conducted June 7 through June 10, 2012, Johnson took 3% of the vote,<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.gallup.com/poll/155537/little-support-third-party-candidates-2012-election.aspx |title = Little Support for Third-Party Candidates in 2012 Election |publisher = Gallup |date = July 6, 2012 |last = Jones |first = Jeffrey |access-date = January 10, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120706182818/http://www.gallup.com/poll/155537/Little-Support-Third-Party-Candidates-2012-Election.aspx |archive-date = July 6, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> while a Gallup poll conducted September 6 through September 9, 2012, showed Johnson taking 1% of likely voters.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://news.gallup.com/poll/157427/americans-split-need-third-party.aspx |title = Gary Johnson scores at 5.3% nationally against Obama and Romney |work = [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] |date = September 12, 2012 |last = Newport |first = Frank |access-date = January 10, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180802010402/https://news.gallup.com/poll/157427/americans-split-need-third-party.aspx |archive-date = August 2, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref>

The final results showed Johnson received 1% of the popular vote, a total of 1,275,971 votes.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://transition.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf |title=Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives |work=[[Federal Election Commission]] |date=July 2013 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915183340/https://transition.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the best result in the Libertarian Party's history by raw vote number, though under the 1.1 percentage of the vote won by [[Ed Clark]] in [[1980 United States presidential election|1980]].<ref name="million" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Gerry |last=Harrington |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/11/08/Libertarian-Party-buoyant-Greens-hopeful/UPI-46151352363400/ |title=Libertarian Party buoyant; Greens hopeful |work=United Press International |access-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109120243/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/11/08/Libertarian-Party-buoyant-Greens-hopeful/UPI-46151352363400/ |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/11/20/the-gops-growing-libertarian-problem/ |title=The GOP's growing Libertarian problem |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 20, 2012 |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |last2=Sullivan |first2=Sean |access-date=January 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123091559/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/11/20/the-gops-growing-libertarian-problem/ |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite falling short of his stated goal of 5%, Johnson stated, "Ours is a mission accomplished."<ref name=weber>{{cite news |url = https://www.foxnews.com/politics/johnson-satisfied-with-presidential-run-mum-on-future-bid-for-office/ |title = Johnson satisfied with presidential run, mum on future bid for office |date = November 7, 2012 |last = Weber |first = Joseph |publisher = [[Fox News Channel]] |access-date = November 15, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160224072500/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/06/johnson-satisfied-with-presidential-run-mum-on-future-bid-for-elected-office.html |archive-date = February 24, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> In regards to a future presidential bid, he said "it is too soon to be talking about [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]".<ref name=weber />

==Inter-presidential campaign activities==
After the 2012 elections, Johnson continued to criticize the [[Obama administration]] on various issues. In an article for ''[[The Guardian (newspaper)|The Guardian]]'', Johnson called on [[United States Attorney General]] [[Eric Holder]] to let individual states [[cannabis legalization|legalize marijuana]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/09/states-legalise-marijuana-eric-holder |title = Let states legalise marijuana, Eric Holder: you know it makes sense |date = March 9, 2013 |last = Johnson |first = Gary |work = [[The Guardian]] |access-date = August 12, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130908103734/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/09/states-legalise-marijuana-eric-holder |archive-date = September 8, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> In a [[Google Hangout]] hosted by Johnson in June 2013, he criticized the US government's lack of [[government transparency|transparency]] and [[due process]] in regards to the [[National Security Agency|NSA]]'s [[domestic spying program|domestic surveillance]] programs. He also said that he would not rule out running as a Republican again in the future.<ref name="ReasonNSA">{{cite web |url = https://reason.com/blog/2013/06/12/gary-johnson-on-nsa-gop |title = Gary Johnson Weighs in on NSA, Says He's Open to Running As a Republican Again |date = June 12, 2013 |last=Evans |first=Zenon |work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |access-date=August 12, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130617003314/http://reason.com/blog/2013/06/12/gary-johnson-on-nsa-gop |archive-date = June 17, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Our America Initiative PAC===
In December 2013, Johnson announced the founding of his own [[Super PAC]], Our America Initiative PAC. The Super PAC is intended to support libertarian-minded causes. "From the realities of government-run healthcare setting in to the continuing disclosures of the breadth of NSA's domestic spying, more Americans than ever are ready to take a serious look at candidates who offer real alternatives to business-as-usual," the release announcing the PAC said.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reichbach|first=Matthew|title=Gary Johnson launches Super PAC|url=http://www.nmtelegram.com/2013/12/11/gary-johnson-launches-super-pac/|access-date= January 5, 2014|newspaper=New Mexico Telegram|date=December 11, 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215060339/http://www.nmtelegram.com/2013/12/11/gary-johnson-launches-super-pac/ |archive-date=December 15, 2013 }}</ref>

===CEO of Cannabis Sativa Inc.===
In July 2014, Johnson was named president and [[CEO]] of Cannabis Sativa Inc., a [[Nevada]]-based company that aims primarily to sell [[medical cannabis]] products in states where medicinal and/or recreational cannabis is legal.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nmtelegram.com/2014/07/01/gary-johnson-to-head-marijuana-company/ | title=Gary Johnson to head marijuana company | publisher=New Mexico Telegram | date=July 1, 2014 | access-date=July 2, 2014 | last=Goldsmith |first=Alex | url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703015511/http://www.nmtelegram.com/2014/07/01/gary-johnson-to-head-marijuana-company/ |archive-date=July 3, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/72498/gary-johnson-is-now-ceo-marijuana-company-he-wants-run-president | title=Gary Johnson Is Now CEO of a Marijuana Company. And He Wants to Run for President. | work=[[National Journal]] | date=July 2, 2014 | access-date=July 2, 2014 | last=Roller | first=Emma | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115213707/https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/72498/gary-johnson-is-now-ceo-marijuana-company-he-wants-run-president | archive-date=January 15, 2017 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2014/07/01/former-nm-governor-gary-johnson-takes-helm-at.html |title=Former NM governor Gary Johnson takes helm at marijuana products company |first=Dan |last=Mayfield |work=[[Albuquerque Business First]] |date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220035500/http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2014/07/01/former-nm-governor-gary-johnson-takes-helm-at.html |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Libertarians for National Popular Vote===
In 2020, Johnson joined the Libertarians for National Popular Vote's advisory board.<ref name=LFORNPV>{{cite web | url=https://www.libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com/about-us | title=Libertarians for National Popular Vote About Us | website=libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com | access-date=January 14, 2021 | quote=We Are Libertarians for National Popular Vote. | archive-date=January 22, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122235649/https://www.libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com/about-us | url-status=live }}</ref>

==2016 presidential campaign==
{{Main|Gary Johnson 2016 presidential campaign}}
In an April 2014 "Ask Me Anything" session on [[Reddit]], Johnson stated that he hoped to run for president again in [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]].<ref name=nationaljournal>{{cite journal |first=Emma |last=Roller |url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/58787 |title=Remember Gary Johnson? He Wants to Run for President Again. |journal=[[National Journal]] |date=April 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424195111/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/remember-gary-johnson-he-wants-to-run-for-president-again-20140423 |archive-date=April 24, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> On whether he would run as a Libertarian or a Republican, he stated: "I would love running as a Libertarian because I would have the least amount of explaining to do."<ref name=nationaljournal />

[[File:Gary Johnson by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg|left|thumb|Gary Johnson speaking at the 2016 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC) in Washington, D.C.]]
In November 2014, Johnson affirmed his intention to run for the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|2016 Libertarian nomination]].<ref name="option">{{cite web | url=https://reason.com/blog/2014/11/04/gary-johnson-ill-run-in-2016-to-provide | title=Gary Johnson: "I'll Run in 2016 to Provide Libertarian Option" That Rand Paul Doesn't Offer | work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] | date=November 4, 2014 | access-date=November 6, 2014 | author-link=Nick Gillespie | last=Gillespie | first=Nick | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106145244/http://reason.com/blog/2014/11/04/gary-johnson-ill-run-in-2016-to-provide | archive-date=November 6, 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2015, Johnson reiterated his intentions for a presidential campaign but stated he was not announcing anything imminently: "I just think there are more downsides than upsides to announcing at this point, and, look, I don't have any delusions about the process. In retrospect, 90 percent of the time I spent [trying to become president] ended up to be wasted time."<ref>{{cite news |title= Gary Johnson on Trump, the Presidential Election, and Life as a Pot Company CEO: Johnson says he wants nothing to do with the GOP |first1= Nick |last1= Gillespie |first2= Meredith |last2= Bragg |date= July 16, 2015 |work= [[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |publisher= [[Reason Foundation]] |url= https://reason.com/reasontv/2015/07/16/gary-johnson-trump-pot-election |access-date= September 17, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190204010302/http://reason.com/reasontv/2015/07/16/gary-johnson-trump-pot-election |archive-date= February 4, 2019 |url-status= live }}</ref>

In January 2016, Johnson resigned from his post as CEO of Cannabis Sativa, Inc., to pursue political opportunities, hinting to a 2016 presidential run.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://reason.com/blog/2016/01/06/gary-johnson-to-run-for-president-2016 |title=UPDATED: Gary Johnson Is Running For President |work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |first=Anthony L. |last=Fisher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914165658/https://reason.com/blog/2016/01/06/gary-johnson-to-run-for-president-2016 |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Johnsonin2016 />

On January 6, 2016, Johnson declared that he would seek the [[Libertarian Party presidential primaries, 2016|Libertarian nomination for the presidency]].<ref name=Johnsonin2016/> On May 18, Johnson named former [[Massachusetts]] [[Governor of Massachusetts|Governor]] [[William Weld]] as his running mate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2016/05/18/former-massachusetts-gov-bill-weld-reportedly-confirmed-libertarian-candidate-gary-johnsons-vp|work=[[Boston.com]]|title=Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld confirmed as Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson's VP|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2016|first=Nick|last=DeCosta-Klipa|publisher=[[Boston Globe Media Partners]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520110048/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2016/05/18/former-massachusetts-gov-bill-weld-reportedly-confirmed-libertarian-candidate-gary-johnsons-vp|archive-date=May 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2016 Libertarian National Convention]] was held in May later that year, with Johnson among the candidates seeking the nomination. The third day of the convention featured a debate among the candidates. When each of the candidates was asked if he would support mandating driver's licenses, Johnson was the sole candidate to answer affirmitavely. When he began responding that he believed drivers should "show some competency", he was promptly booed.<ref>{{cite AV media |people= |date=May 28, 2016 |title="User Clip: Libertarian Presidential Debate - Should Driving a Vehicle Require a Government License?" |trans-title= |type= |language= |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4780234/user-clip-libertarian-presidential-debate-driving-vehicle-require-government-license |access-date= |format= |time=1:31 |location= |publisher=C-SPAN |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= }}</ref> Nonetheless, on May 29, 2016, Johnson received the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|Libertarian nomination]] on the second ballot.<ref name="JohnsonwinsNomination"/> Johnson was [[Ballot access|on the ballot]] in all 50 states.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/gma/gary-johnson-november-ballot-50-states-163511497.html|work=Yahoo News|title=Gary Johnson on November Ballot in All 50 States|date=September 14, 2016|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827112725/https://www.yahoo.com/gma/gary-johnson-november-ballot-50-states-163511497.html|archive-date=August 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 8, Johnson appeared on [[MSNBC]]'s ''[[Morning Joe]]'' and was asked by panelist [[Mike Barnicle]], "As president, what would you do about Aleppo?"  Johnson responded, "And what is Aleppo?" After [[Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)|a clarification]] from Barnicle, Johnson answered by saying that "the only way that we deal with Syria is to join hands with Russia to diplomatically bring that at an end."<ref name="Aleppo Interview">{{cite magazine|title=Read the Interview Where Gary Johnson Asked What Aleppo Is|url=https://time.com/4483779/gary-johnson-aleppo-transcript/|magazine=Time|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006144755/http://time.com/4483779/gary-johnson-aleppo-transcript/|archive-date=October 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson criticized U.S. support for the [[Free Syrian Army]] and [[Syrian Kurdish–Islamist conflict (2013–present)|Kurdish forces]] and stated that the "mess" in Syria was "the result of regime change that we end up supporting. And, inevitably, these regime changes have led to a less-safe world."<ref name="Aleppo Interview"/> Johnson's "what is Aleppo?" question drew widespread attention, much of it negative.<ref name="WhatIsAleppoCNN">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/politics/gary-johnson-aleppo/|last=Wright|first=David|title=What is Aleppo?|date=September 8, 2016|publisher=CNN|access-date=September 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908203603/http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/politics/gary-johnson-aleppo/|archive-date=September 8, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WhatIsPolitico">{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/gary-johnson-aleppo-227873|work=Politico|title=Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson: 'What is Aleppo?'|first=Louis|last=Nelson|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=September 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910221946/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/gary-johnson-aleppo-227873|archive-date=September 10, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to charges that he was uninformed, Johnson said that he had "blanked," that he did "understand the dynamics of the Syrian conflict," and that he had thought that Barnicle's reference to "Aleppo" was in relation to "an acronym, not the Syrian conflict."<ref name="WhatIsPolitico"/>

On September 23, in an MSNBC interview with Kasie Hunt, Gary Johnson noted the benefits of being invited to the [[United States presidential debates, 2016|2016 Presidential Debates]]. While discussing this topic, Johnson stuck out his tongue through his teeth at the reporter while explaining that he could win a three-way debate, and ultimately the Presidency, versus Clinton and Trump while speaking in that manner. Johnson's spokesperson, John LaBeaume, later stated, "He was just having fun" and that it was "lighthearted".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/23/wait-why-did-gary-johnson-bite-his-tongue-in-an-msnbc-interview/|title=Wait, why did Gary Johnson bite his tongue in an MSNBC interview?|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=November 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114004413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/23/wait-why-did-gary-johnson-bite-his-tongue-in-an-msnbc-interview/|archive-date=November 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 28, in a MSNBC Town Hall, Johnson was asked by Chris Matthews to name a world leader he respected, he tried to name [[Vicente Fox]], a former President of Mexico, but could not remember his name.<ref name="Post-Aleppo-moment">{{cite news|last1=Weigel|first1=David|title=Gary Johnson has 'Aleppo moment' when asked to name favorite foreign leader|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/28/gary-johnson-has-aleppo-moment-when-asked-to-name-favorite-foreign-leader/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930035621/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/09/28/gary-johnson-has-aleppo-moment-when-asked-to-name-favorite-foreign-leader/|archive-date=September 30, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-admire">{{cite web|last1=Woolf|first1=Nicky|title=US presidential candidate Gary Johnson fails to name a foreign leader he admires|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/28/gary-johnson-cant-name-foreign-leader-aleppo-moment|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929021625/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/28/gary-johnson-cant-name-foreign-leader-aleppo-moment|archive-date=September 29, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/gary-johnson-aleppo-moment.html|title='I Guess I'm Having an Aleppo Moment': Gary Johnson Can't Name a Single Foreign Leader|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115213543/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/gary-johnson-aleppo-moment.html|archive-date=January 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The following day, he tweeted, "It's been almost 24 hours...and I still can't come up with a foreign leader I look up to."<ref>{{cite tweet |user=GovGaryJohnson |number=781559655839522817 |date=September 29, 2016 |title=It's been almost 24 hours...and I still can't come up with a foreign leader I look up to. }}</ref> Later in a CNN interview, he expanded upon his reluctance to endorse political leaders, "I held a lot of people in this country on pedestals and then I get to meet them up front and personal and I find out that they're all about getting reelected, that they're not about issues, a lot of empty suits that I held up on pedestals."<ref>{{cite web |first=Eugene |last=Scott |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/politics/gary-johnson-foreign-leaders/index.html |title=Gary Johnson stands by being skeptical of elected officials, foreign leaders |publisher=CNN |date=October 4, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917222247/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/politics/gary-johnson-foreign-leaders/index.html |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

When asked on October 5 by ''[[The New York Times]]'' if he knew the name of the [[Supreme leader of North Korea|leader of North Korea]], Johnson said "yes," but declined to give the name despite being pressed.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Michael|title=Gary Johnson won't (or can't) name North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/gary-johnson-wont-or-cant-name-north-koreas-leader-kim-jong-un-153924294.html|access-date=February 27, 2017|work=Yahoo! News|date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224064729/https://www.yahoo.com/news/gary-johnson-wont-or-cant-name-north-koreas-leader-kim-jong-un-153924294.html|archive-date=February 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Haberman|first1=Maggie|last2=Burns|first2=Alexander|title=Gary Johnson Equates Syria Deaths Caused by Assad and West|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/us/politics/gary-johnson-campaign.html|access-date=February 27, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217081704/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/us/politics/gary-johnson-campaign.html|archive-date=February 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Gary Johnson by Gage Skidmore 8.jpg|thumb|Johnson speaking at an October 2016 rally in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]]]
Johnson was not invited to participate in the [[United States presidential debates, 2016|presidential debates]] because he did not meet the criterion of 15% support in five polls set by the [[Commission on Presidential Debates]]. In 2015, Johnson and [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]] nominee [[Jill Stein]] filed a lawsuit against the commission, arguing that the commission and its rules violated [[antitrust law]] and the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]. In August 2016, the lawsuit was dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Stelter|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/08/05/media/debate-lawsuit-gary-johnson-jill-stein/index.html|work=CNN Money|title=Judge dismisses debate lawsuit filed by Gary Johnson and Jill Stein|date=August 5, 2016|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009142224/http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/05/media/debate-lawsuit-gary-johnson-jill-stein/index.html|archive-date=October 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson's poll numbers had been averaging between 7 and 9 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton_vs_johnson-5949.html|work=RealClearPolitics|title=General Election: Trump vs. Clinton vs. Johnson|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006075603/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton_vs_johnson-5949.html|archive-date=October 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson's campaign manager Ron Nielson argued for Johnson's inclusion, citing [[Ross Perot]]'s admission to the debates in the 1992 debates, when Perot was polling at 8 percent.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ron|last=Nielson|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bring-out-a-third-lectern-for-gary-johnson-1473981809|title=Bring Out a Third Lectern for Gary Johnson|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005201906/http://www.wsj.com/articles/bring-out-a-third-lectern-for-gary-johnson-1473981809|archive-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

A ''Washington Post''-[[SurveyMonkey]] 50-state poll, conducted online between August 9 and September 1 found Gary Johnson polling at 10% or higher in 42 states, and at 15% or higher in 15 states (Johnson received 25% in his home state of [[New Mexico]] and 23% in [[Utah]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=Gamio |first=Lazaro |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-election/50-state-poll/ |title=New poll shows how Trump-Clinton matchup is redrawing the electoral map |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=September 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909102511/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-election/50-state-poll/ |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another poll conducted in mid-August by the [[Pew Research Center]] found Johnson supported by about 10% of registered voters. Of Johnson supporters, more than 60% identified as [[Independent (voter)|independent]] and more than 70% were younger than fifty years old. Johnson's supporters were evenly divided between men and women.<ref>{{cite news |first=Giovanni |last=Russonello |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/us/politics/gary-johnson-libertarian-third-party.html |title=Libertarian Gary Johnson Polls at 10 Percent. Who Are His Supporters? |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817044308/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/05/us/politics/gary-johnson-libertarian-third-party.html |archive-date=August 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the election, Johnson stated in an interview with the ''[[Albuquerque Journal]]'' that he does not intend to run for public office again, saying, "Maybe I stay politically active, but not as a candidate. I will leave that to others."<ref name=":0" /> He subsequently confirmed that he would not seek the [[2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries|Libertarian Party's nomination in 2020]].

==2018 U.S. Senate race==
{{main|2018 United States Senate election in New Mexico}}
Johnson was speculated to run in the [[United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2018|2018 U.S. Senate race in New Mexico]] after [[New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands|Land Commissioner]] [[Aubrey Dunn Jr.]], then the Libertarian nominee, dropped out of the race.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Contreras |first1=Russell |title=Possible Gary Johnson Senate Bid Scrambles New Mexico Race |url=https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/possible-gary-johnson-senate-bid-scrambles-new-mexico-race |website=Talking Points Memo |date=July 28, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908030114/https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/possible-gary-johnson-senate-bid-scrambles-new-mexico-race |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2018, Johnson formally accepted the [[Libertarian Party of New Mexico]]'s nomination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Libertarian Party courts Gary Johnson for Senate run |url=https://www.businessinsider.de/ap-libertarian-party-courts-gary-johnson-for-senate-run-2018-8?r=US&IR=T |agency=Associated Press |website=[[Business Insider]] |date=August 5, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917215259/https://www.businessinsider.de/ap-libertarian-party-courts-gary-johnson-for-senate-run-2018-8?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boyd|first=Dan|title=Gary Johnson makes it official: He's running for U.S. Senate|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/1208890/gary-johnson-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-u-s-senate.html|work=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|date=August 14, 2018|access-date=September 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815112757/https://www.abqjournal.com/1208890/gary-johnson-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-u-s-senate.html|archive-date=August 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/401816-gary-johnson-launches-senate-bid/ |title=Gary Johnson launches New Mexico Senate bid |first=Lisa |last=Hagen |date=August 14, 2018 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181935/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/401816-gary-johnson-launches-senate-bid |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Republican U.S. Senator [[Rand Paul]] of [[Kentucky]] crossed party lines to endorse Johnson's bid;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/rand-paul-endorses-gary-johnson-puts-principles-over-party |work=[[Washington Examiner]] |title=Rand Paul endorses Gary Johnson, puts principles over party |first=Jack |last=Hunter |date=August 29, 2018 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904142345/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/rand-paul-endorses-gary-johnson-puts-principles-over-party |archive-date=September 4, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnson was also endorsed by the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, [[Eric Brakey]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://reason.com/blog/2018/08/31/eric-brakey-republican-senate-candidate |title=Eric Brakey, Republican Senate Candidate in Maine, Endorses Gary Johnson |work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |date=August 31, 2018 |first=Matt |last=Welch |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913174133/https://reason.com/blog/2018/08/31/eric-brakey-republican-senate-candidate |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the November 2018 election, Democratic incumbent [[Martin Heinrich]] was reelected with 376,998 votes (54%); Republican nominee Mick Rich received 212,813 votes (31%); and Johnson received 107,201 votes (15%).<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-mexico-senate Election 2018; New Mexico U.S. Senate Election Results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418223457/https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-mexico-senate |date=April 18, 2019 }}, ''New York Times''.</ref>

==Political positions==
{{Libertarianism US|people}}
Johnson's views have been described as [[Fiscal conservatism|fiscally conservative]] and [[Cultural liberalism|socially liberal]]<ref>{{cite news |title = Election 101: Who is Gary Johnson? |first = Husna |last = Haq |url = https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2011/0421/Election-101-Who-is-Gary-Johnson/Who-is-he-anyway |newspaper = [[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date = April 21, 2011 |access-date = April 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110424105416/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2011/0421/Election-101-Who-is-Gary-Johnson/Who-is-he-anyway |archive-date = April 24, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> with a philosophy of [[limited government]]<ref name="2012: Year of the Libertarian?">{{cite news|title=2012: Year of the Libertarian? |first=Brian |last=Bolduc |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/255598/2012-year-libertarian-brian-bolduc |newspaper=[[National Review]] |date=January 3, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106030947/http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/255598/2012-year-libertarian-brian-bolduc |archive-date=January 6, 2011 }}</ref> and military [[United States non-interventionism|non-interventionism]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.thedailybeast.com/dont-forget-gary-johnson-how-the-libertarian-could-shake-up-2012 |title = Don't Forget Gary Johnson! How the Libertarian Could Shake Up 2012 |work = [[The Daily Beast]] |date = May 6, 2012 |access-date = September 17, 2018 |archive-date = November 5, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211105214535/https://www.thedailybeast.com/dont-forget-gary-johnson-how-the-libertarian-could-shake-up-2012 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=Doherty>{{cite web |author = Brian Doherty |url = https://reason.com/blog/2012/04/11/gary-johnsons-foreign-policy-libertarian |title = Gary Johnson's Foreign Policy: Libertarian or "Strange"? |work = [[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |date = April 11, 2012 |access-date = September 17, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203326/https://reason.com/blog/2012/04/11/gary-johnsons-foreign-policy-libertarian |archive-date = September 14, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson spoke at the 2016 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]] (CPAC),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/3/gary-johnson-cpac-get-me-into-presidential-debates/ |title=Libertarian Gary Johnson to CPAC: Get me into 2016 presidential debates |first=David |last=Sherfinski |work=[[The Washington Times]] |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=September 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203711/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/3/gary-johnson-cpac-get-me-into-presidential-debates/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> a forum for conservative politicians.  He has identified as a [[Classical liberalism|classical liberal]].<ref name="eagletribune" /> He would repeal [[Affordable Care Act|Obamacare]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.salon.com/2016/10/01/bill-maher-warns-bernie-sanders-supports-considering-gary-johnson-hes-for-nothing-that-you-people-want/ |title=Maher: Johnson is for nothing Bernie supporters want |work=[[Salon.com]] |first=Jeremy |last=Binckes |date=October 1, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203501/https://www.salon.com/2016/10/01/bill-maher-warns-bernie-sanders-supports-considering-gary-johnson-hes-for-nothing-that-you-people-want/ |archive-date=September 14, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnson has said he favors [[Tax simplification|simplifying]] and reducing taxes.<ref name="Former NM gov is little known">{{cite news |title = Former NM gov is little known but has big ideas |first = Mike |last = Glover |url = http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/09/08/former_nm_gov_is_little_known_but_has_big_ideas/ |agency = AP |newspaper = [[Boston Globe]] |date = September 8, 2010 |access-date = April 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160408220940/http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/09/08/former_nm_gov_is_little_known_but_has_big_ideas/ |archive-date = April 8, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> During his governorship, Johnson cut taxes fourteen times and never increased them.<ref>{{cite news |title = Prelude to a nervous breakdown; New Mexico's Gary Johnson rises |first = Bernie |last = Quigley |url = https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/state-a-local-politics/82295-prelude-to-a-nervous-breakdown-new-mexicos-gary-johnson-rises/ |newspaper = [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date = February 10, 2011 |access-date = April 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202149/http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/state-a-local-politics/143233-prelude-to-a-nervous-breakdown-new-mexicos-gary-johnson-rises |archive-date = June 28, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> Due to his stance on taxes, political pundit David Weigel described him as "the original [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] candidate."<ref name="America's Next Top Libertarian">{{cite news |title = America's Next Top Libertarian |first = David |last = Weigel |url = http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2011/04/americas_next_top_libertarian.html |newspaper = [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |date = September 8, 2010 |access-date = April 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111211134514/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2011/04/americas_next_top_libertarian.html |archive-date = December 11, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson has advocated the [[FairTax]] as a template for tax reform. This proposal would abolish all federal income, corporate and capital gains taxes, and replace them with a 23% tax on consumption of all non-essential goods, while providing a [[Regressive tax|regressive]] [[Rebate (marketing)|rebate]] to households according to household size, regardless of income level. He has argued that this would ensure transparency in the tax system and incentivize the private sector to create "tens of millions of jobs."<ref>{{cite web |last = Quinn |first = Garrett |title = Fair Tax Gives Gary Johnson Some Hiccups On The Trail |url = https://reason.com/blog/2012/08/22/fair-tax-gives-gary-johnson-some-hiccups |work = [[Reason (magazine)|Reason]] |access-date = November 12, 2012 |date = August 22, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121127165123/http://reason.com/blog/2012/08/22/fair-tax-gives-gary-johnson-some-hiccups |archive-date = November 27, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> In June 2016, Johnson said that he supported the [[Trans-Pacific Partnership]], stating that he previously was skeptical "because these trade agreements are just laden with crony capitalism," but is now informed it, in fact, fosters free trade.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/2016-campaign-election-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-green-party-jill-stein-progressives-liberal-213972 |title=Think You've Got It Locked, Hillary? Meet Jill Stein. |website=[[Politico]] |access-date=June 19, 2016 |first=Bill |last=Scher |date=June 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619120835/http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/2016-campaign-election-hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-green-party-jill-stein-progressives-liberal-213972 |archive-date=June 19, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Death penalty ===
In 1994, Johnson ran for governor of New Mexico, campaigning as a strong proponent of the [[death penalty]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Gary_Johnson_Crime.htm |title=Gary Johnson on Crime |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924045330/https://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Gary_Johnson_Crime.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> but over time, he changed his opinion. He now supports abolishing capital punishment and replacing it with life sentences.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viP1WzlYPM0 |title=What Libertarian Gary Johnson believes in 2 minutes – YouTube<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=[[YouTube]] |date=August 29, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924045329/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viP1WzlYPM0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Environmental ===
Johnson's 2016 campaign website acknowledged that the climate is "probably" changing and that humans are "probably" contributing to this change. Johnson has argued that climate change will not matter in the "long-term" and rejects government action to control or limit – including [[Emissions trading|cap and trade]] – as ineffective: "When you look at the amount of money we are looking to spend on global warming{{snd}}in the trillions{{snd}}and look at the result, I just argue that the result is completely inconsequential to the money we would end up spending," he said. "We can direct those moneys to other ways that would be much more beneficial to mankind."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/09/23/gary-johnson-libertarian-presidential-candidate-climate-change-sun-encompass-earth/90898928/ |title=Johnson's views on tackling climate change appear to be in opposition to a large percentage of his supporters |work=[[USA Today]] |first=Mary |last=Bowerman |date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709073033/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/09/23/gary-johnson-libertarian-presidential-candidate-climate-change-sun-encompass-earth/90898928/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnson has signed the [[Western Governors' Association]] resolution, which aims at "collaborative, incentive driven, locally-based solutions," and has advocated for [[free-market environmentalism|free market solutions to environmental problems]]. He has stated that he will not "compromise when it comes to clean air, clean land, or clean water."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Gary_Johnson_Environment.htm |title=Collaborative, incentive driven, locally-based solutions. |work=[[On the Issues]] |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830021205/http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Gary_Johnson_Environment.htm |archive-date=August 30, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnson supports nuclear energy and fossil fuels, but has stated that the government has a role to protect Americans against businesses that would harm human health or property, including environmental harm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2012/09/18/where-gov-johnson-stands-on-energy/ |title=Where Gov. Johnson Stands on Energy |date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006044109/http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2012/09/18/where-gov-johnson-stands-on-energy/ |archive-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Campaign finance ===
Johnson opposed the U.S. Supreme Court decision in ''[[Citizens United v. FEC]]'', allowing unlimited corporate [[independent expenditure]]s on political campaigns, while also encouraging full disclosure of such expenditures.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/gary-johnson-swing-election-2016-president-214251 |title=Why Gary Johnson Matters |work=[[Politico]] |first=Ben |last=Birnbaum |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805143935/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/gary-johnson-swing-election-2016-president-214251 |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Fiscal ===
Johnson has said that he would immediately [[balanced budget|balance]] the [[United States federal budget|federal budget]], and would demand a [[balanced budget amendment]],<ref name="From Obscurity to Prominence">{{cite news|title=Gary Johnson: 'From Obscurity to Prominence' in New Hampshire |first=Rick |last=Klein |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/04/gary-johnson-from-obscurity-to-prominence-in-new-hampshire/ |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=April 22, 2011 |access-date=April 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019002115/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/04/gary-johnson-from-obscurity-to-prominence-in-new-hampshire/ |archive-date=October 19, 2011 }}</ref> but maintained a state deficit. He has advocated passing a law allowing for [[state bankruptcy]] and expressly ruling out a federal [[bailout]] of any states.<ref name="2012: Year of the Libertarian?" />

=== Healthcare ===
He has stated he supports "slashing government spending", including [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]], [[Medicaid]], and [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]],<ref name="Former NM gov is little known" /> which would involve cutting Medicare and Medicaid by 43 percent and turning them into [[block grant]] programs, with control of spending in the hands of the states to create, in his words, "fifty laboratories of innovation."<ref name="From Obscurity to Prominence" /> He has referred to Social Security as a [[pyramid scheme]].

=== Federal Reserve ===
Johnson has [[Criticism of the Federal Reserve|expressed opposition]] to the [[Federal Reserve|Federal Reserve System]], which he has cited as massively devaluing the strength of the U.S. dollar, and would not veto legislation to eliminate it – although he has stated that no such bill is likely to come out of Congress during his administration. He has also supported an [[audit]] of the central bank, and urged Members of Congress in July 2012 to vote in favor of Ron Paul's [[Federal Reserve Transparency Act]].<ref>{{Cite web |title = Gov. Gary Johnson Sends Letter To House Of Representatives |url = http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/gov-gary-johnson-send-letter-to-house-of-representatives |publisher = garyjohnson2012.com |access-date = August 26, 2012 |date = July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725174635/http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/gov-gary-johnson-send-letter-to-house-of-representatives |archive-date=July 25, 2012 }}</ref>

=== Foreign policy ===
In his campaign for the Libertarian Party nomination, he stated he opposed foreign wars and pledged to cut the military budget by 43 percent in his first term as president.<ref name="Doherty" /> He would cut the military's overseas bases, uniformed and civilian personnel, research and development, intelligence, and [[nuclear weapon]]s programs, while maintaining an "invincible defense."<ref>{{cite video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR17nyXMQEU |title = Interview with Gov. Gary Johnson, LP presidential candidate, on Foreign Policy |publisher = YouTube |date = April 2011 |time = 6:00 |access-date = November 8, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130831022749/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR17nyXMQEU |archive-date = August 31, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gov-gary-cut-defense-quit-subsidizing-eurocare |title = Gov. Gary: Cut defense, quit subsidizing Eurocare |author = John Vaught LaBeaume |date = September 1, 2011 |work = [[Washington Examiner]] |access-date = September 18, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180915084630/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gov-gary-cut-defense-quit-subsidizing-eurocare |archive-date = September 15, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson opposed U.S. involvement in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] and opposed the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|U.S. involvement]] in the [[2011 Libyan civil war|Libyan Civil War]].<ref>{{cite news |title = The Zen of Gary Johnson |first = Conor |last = Friedersdorf |author-link = Conor Friedersdorf |url = https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/04/the-zen-of-gary-johnson/237706/ |newspaper = [[The Atlantic]] |date = April 22, 2011 |access-date = April 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110425041716/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/04/the-zen-of-gary-johnson/237706/ |archive-date = April 25, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> He has stated that he does not believe [[Iran]] is a military threat, would use his presidential power to prevent Israel from attacking Iran, and would not follow Israel, or any other ally, into a war that it had initiated.<ref>{{cite video |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR17nyXMQEU |title = Interview with Gov. Gary Johnson, LP presidential candidate, on Foreign Policy |publisher = YouTube |date = April 2011 |time = 4:30 |access-date = November 8, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130831022749/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR17nyXMQEU |archive-date = August 31, 2013 |url-status = live }}</ref> While Johnson views the [[Islamic terrorism|Islamic threat]] to the US as overrated, he has been openly advocating for greater diplomacy with China regarding [[North Korea]], which, in his view, "is the biggest threat in the world today," stating "...one of these days, one of their ICBMs is going to work."<ref name="Johnson on North Korea">{{cite web|title=Gary Johnson on the Issues|url=http://2016.presidential-candidates.org/Johnson/?on=north-korea|website=2016 Presidential Candidates/|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810042455/http://2016.presidential-candidates.org/Johnson/?on=north-korea|archive-date=August 10, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he does support waging war for humanitarian reasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/john-mccormack/yes-gary-johnson-endorsed-humanitarian-war |title=Yes, Gary Johnson Endorsed Humanitarian War |date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |work=[[The Weekly Standard]] |first=John |last=McCormack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915121920/https://www.weeklystandard.com/john-mccormack/yes-gary-johnson-endorsed-humanitarian-war |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/gary-johnson-and-humanitarian-interventions/ |title=Gary Johnson and Humanitarian Interventions |first=Daniel |last=Larison |date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |work=[[The American Conservative]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042505/https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/gary-johnson-and-humanitarian-interventions/ |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2012/04/12/gary-johnson-libertarian-candidate-is-out-of-his-element/ |work=[[Antiwar.com]] |title=Gary Johnson – "Libertarian" Candidate – is Out of His Element |first=John |last=Glaser |date=April 12, 2012 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915002008/https://www.antiwar.com/blog/2012/04/12/gary-johnson-libertarian-candidate-is-out-of-his-element/ |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Civil liberties ===
Johnson has been a strong supporter of [[Civil liberties in the United States|civil liberties]] and has received the highest score of any candidate from the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] for supporting [[Drug liberalization#United States|drug decriminalization]] while opposing censorship and regulation of the Internet, the [[Patriot Act]], enhanced airport screenings, and the [[indefinite detention without trial|indefinite detention]] of prisoners.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://reason.com/archives/2012/01/31/gary-johnson-braves-the-aclu |title = Gary Johnson Braves the ACLU; The Libertarian presidential candidate charms a gathering of civil libertarians |work = Reason |date = January 31, 2012 |access-date = September 17, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190213081637/http://reason.com/archives/2012/01/31/gary-johnson-braves-the-aclu |archive-date = February 13, 2019 |url-status = live }}</ref> He has spoken in favor of the [[separation of church and state]], and has said that he does not "seek the counsel of God" when determining his political agenda.<ref>{{cite news |last = Landsberg |first = Mitchell |title = Atheist group gives Obama an unenthusiastic nod over Romney |url = http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-atheists-religion-obama-romney-20121017,0,4101208.story |access-date = October 23, 2012 |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date = October 17, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121022123934/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-atheists-religion-obama-romney-20121017,0,4101208.story |archive-date = October 22, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson endorsed [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage]] in 2011;<ref name="marriage" /> he has since called for a constitutional amendment protecting equal marriage rights,<ref name="marriage">{{cite web |last = Riggs |first = Mike |url = https://reason.com/blog/2012/05/10/gary-johnson-on-obamas-gay-marriage-rema |title = Gary Johnson on Obama's Gay Marriage Remarks: "I guess the President is still more worried about losing Ohio, Colorado, North Carolina and Virginia than he is in doing the right thing" |work = Reason |date = May 10, 2012 |access-date = May 21, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120521155337/http://reason.com/blog/2012/05/10/gary-johnson-on-obamas-gay-marriage-rema |archive-date = May 21, 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref> and criticized Obama's position on the issue as having "thrown this question back to the states."<ref name="marriage" /> Johnson supports the enforcement of Protected Classes that was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and believes that providers should be prohibited from discriminating between customers based on demographics, such as race or sexuality. This differentiated him from his Libertarian Party opponents in the party primary, especially [[Austin Petersen]]. He has been a longtime advocate of [[Removal of cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act|legalizing marijuana]] and has said that if he were president, he would remove it from [[List of Schedule I drugs (US)|Schedule I]] of the [[Controlled Substances Act]] as well as issue an executive order pardoning nonviolent marijuana offenders.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://reason.com/blog/2011/10/19/gary-johnson-on-defanging-the |title = Gary Johnson on "Defanging" the DEA, Pardoning Marijuana Offenders, and Standing With Occupy Wall Street |last = Riggs |first = Mike |work = Reason |date = October 19, 2011 |access-date = October 19, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111020173653/http://reason.com/blog/2011/10/19/gary-johnson-on-defanging-the |archive-date = October 20, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> Johnson has stated that he would pardon [[National Security Agency|NSA]] [[whistleblower]] [[Edward Snowden]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/297606-gary-johnson-i-would-pardon-snowden-based-on-what-i-know/ |title = Gary Johnson: I would pardon Snowden |last = Vladmirov |first = Nikita |work = The Hill |date = September 24, 2016 |access-date = April 3, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160927034943/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/297606-gary-johnson-i-would-pardon-snowden-based-on-what-i-know |archive-date = September 27, 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref> He believes that decriminalizing [[sex work]] should be left up to the states, but has said that prostitutes are more "at risk" in an illegal environment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_v3b1KIdpo |title=Gary Johnson on Legalizing Prostitution – YouTube<!-- Bot generated title --> |website=[[YouTube]] |date=September 7, 2016 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924045324/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_v3b1KIdpo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://reason.com/2016/08/04/gary-johnson-clarifies-sex-workers-are-v/ |title=Gary Johnson Clarifies: Sex Workers Are 'Victims' of Prohibition |last=Brown |first=Elizabeth |work=Reason |date=August 2016 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926082819/https://reason.com/2016/08/04/gary-johnson-clarifies-sex-workers-are-v/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Abortion ===
Johnson supports abortion access. He has stated he believes that "it's the woman's choice." His 2016 position page on abortion states the "woman must be allowed to make decisions about her own health" and "government should not be in the business of second guessing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.johnsonweld.com/abortion|title=Abortion – Gary Johnson for President|access-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724210042/https://www.johnsonweld.com/abortion |archive-date=July 24, 2016 }}</ref>

=== Immigration ===
Johnson supports comprehensive immigration reform and has criticized the immigration stances of Obama, Trump, and Hillary Clinton. In his 2012 campaign, he summed up his proposals as simplifying legal immigration while tackling illegal immigration.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/immigration|title=Immigration|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207145841/http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/immigration/|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson proposes "eliminating categories and quotas" and offering illegal immigrants without criminal records in the U.S. a path to legal status. In 2012, he called walls ineffective in stopping illegal immigrants and argued that the U.S. should instead work on tackling Mexican drug cartels by decriminalizing marijuana and giving cartels "diminished incentives to violate U.S. law."<ref name="auto"/> Johnson believes the root of illegal immigration is what he calls America's complicated immigration policies and has said the U.S. should "recognize the real problem – a flawed system – and fix it". "Even for those from the right countries or with the right skills, our bureaucracy makes it ridiculously slow and cumbersome to come here legally", he has said.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/29/opinions/making-legal-immigration-attainable-johnson/index.html|title=Gary Johnson: Build a better immigration system, not a wall|first=Gary|last=Johnson|date=August 29, 2016|website=CNN|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204200434/https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/29/opinions/making-legal-immigration-attainable-johnson/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson advocates simplifying restrictions on temporary work visas, granting illegal immigrants who obey the law a two-year grace period to obtain work visas and streamlining the immigration process. He has also said, "a work visa should include a background check and a Social Security card so that taxes get paid" and supports a ''one strike, you're out'' deportation rule for immigrants who try to circumnavigate or cheat a simplified immigration process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Johnson_presidential_campaign,_2016/Immigration|title=Gary Johnson presidential campaign, 2016/Immigration|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213153137/https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Johnson_presidential_campaign,_2016/Immigration|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Gary_Johnson_Immigration.htm|title=Gary Johnson on Immigration|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205103803/https://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Gary_Johnson_Immigration.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cato.org/blog/libertarian-candidate-gary-johnsons-proposal-would-end-illegal-immigration|title=Libertarian Candidate Gary Johnson's Proposal Would End Illegal Immigration|date=August 30, 2016|website=Cato Institute|access-date=February 7, 2021|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225224434/https://www.cato.org/blog/libertarian-candidate-gary-johnsons-proposal-would-end-illegal-immigration|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Gun laws ===
Johnson opposes federal and state [[gun control]] legislation, saying: "I'm a firm believer in the Second Amendment and so I would not have signed legislation banning assault weapons or automatic weapons."<ref name="RNN">{{cite web|title=Presidential candidate Gary Johnson talks guns, for-profit prisons|url=http://www.cbs5az.com/story/19971785/presidential-candidate-talks-guns-prisons|agency=[[RNN, Regional News Network]]|date=January 30, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002030908/http://www.cbs5az.com/story/19971785/presidential-candidate-talks-guns-prisons|archive-date=October 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson says that the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] "was designed to protect us against a government that could be very intrusive. And in this country, we have a growing police state – if people can own [[assault rifle]]s or [[automatic rifle]]s, I think leads to a more civil government."<ref name="RNN"/> Johnson would, however, limit weapons such as [[rocket launcher]]s.<ref name="RNN"/> Johnson believes that allowing [[Concealed carry in the United States|concealed carrying]] of guns reduces crime and gun violence.<ref name="RNN"/><ref name="PageGuns">{{cite web |first=Susan |last=Page |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/16/libertarian-nominee-gary-johnson-guns-debates-pot/85982250/ |title=Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson on guns, debates and pot |newspaper=USA Today |date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109155606/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/16/libertarian-nominee-gary-johnson-guns-debates-pot/85982250/ |archive-date=November 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He opposes barring gun sales to individuals on the [[no-fly list]], because he claims that such lists have a high error rate.<ref name="PageGuns"/> Johnson has called for a "thousand-person taskforce" or "hot line" to prevent terrorists from obtaining guns, and has questioned why the perpetrator of the [[Orlando nightclub shooting]] was not "deprived of his guns" after being interviewed three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Gary_Johnson_Gun_Control.htm|title=2016 CNN Libertarian Town Hall with Gary Johnson & Bill Weld|date=June 22, 2016|publisher=OnTheIssues|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004195109/http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Gary_Johnson_Gun_Control.htm|archive-date=October 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:New Hampshire (5968215380).jpg|left|thumb|Johnson running the 38th Annual [[Stratham, New Hampshire|Stratham]] Fair Road Race]]
Johnson was married to his college girlfriend, Dee Johnson (née Simms; 1952–2006) from 1977 to 2005.<ref name="RyanWeapon"/><ref name="Who is Gary Johnson?">{{Cite journal|last=Haq|first=Husna|title=Election 101: Who is Gary Johnson?|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2011/0421/Election-101-Who-is-Gary-Johnson/What-is-his-family-and-religious-background|journal=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=April 21, 2011|access-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424111751/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2011/0421/Election-101-Who-is-Gary-Johnson/What-is-his-family-and-religious-background|archive-date=April 24, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> As First Lady of New Mexico, she engaged in campaigns against smoking and for [[breast cancer]] awareness<ref name="Ex-N.M. First Lady Dies" /> and oversaw the expansion of the [[New Mexico Governor's Mansion|Governor's Mansion]]. He initiated a [[Legal separation|separation]] in May 2005, and four months later announced that they would divorce.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Gov. Johnson, Wife Are Divorcing|first=Leslie|last=Linthicum|newspaper=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|date=September 29, 2005|access-date=September 18, 2018|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/394072metro09-29-05.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918230929/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/394072metro09-29-05.htm|archive-date=September 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> At the age of 54, Dee Johnson died unexpectedly on December 22, 2006,<ref name="Ex-N.M. First Lady Dies">{{cite news|title=Ex-N.M. First Lady Dies; Dee Johnson Fought for Women's and Children's Issues|first=Sean|last=Olson|newspaper=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|date=December 24, 2006|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/523756nm12-24-06.htm|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919024808/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/523756nm12-24-06.htm|archive-date=September 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> her cause of death later attributed to [[hypertensive heart disease]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Former First Lady Died of Heart Disease|first=Leslie|last=Linthicum|newspaper=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|access-date=September 18, 2018|date=February 10, 2007|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/535501nm02-10-07.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919024932/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/535501nm02-10-07.htm|archive-date=September 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The couple had two children, now adults.<ref name="RyanWeapon" >{{cite magazine|last1=Ryan|first1=Lizza|title=The Libertarians' Secret Weapon|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/gary-johnson-the-third-party-candidate|date=July 25, 2016|access-date=August 5, 2016|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724015732/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/07/25/gary-johnson-the-third-party-candidate|archive-date=July 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He also has a granddaughter, Cora, through his son Erik.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Gary|title=Gary Johnson's Biography|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/22377/gary-johnson#.XAjew_krKXY|access-date=December 6, 2018|publisher=[[Vote Smart]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206145625/https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/22377/gary-johnson#.XAjew_krKXY|archive-date=December 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson was an avid triathlete who biked extensively. During his term in office, he competed in several [[triathlon]]s, [[marathon]]s and bike races. He competed three times (1993, 1997, 1999) as a celebrity invitee at the [[Ironman World Championship]] in Hawaii, registering his best time for the {{convert|2.4|mi|adj=on}} swim, {{convert|112|mi|adj=on}} bike ride, and {{convert|26.2|mi|adj=on}} marathon run in 1999 with 10 hours, 39 minutes, and 16 seconds.<ref>{{cite news|title=Famous Just Doesn't Make It|first=Vincent M.|last=Mallozzi|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 12, 1997|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/12/sports/triathlons-famous-just-doesn-t-make-it.html|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150549/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/12/sports/triathlons-famous-just-doesn-t-make-it.html|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[World Triathlon Corporation]] |url=http://ironman.com/holdingcell/2002/june-2002/new-mexico-governor-to-compete-in-ironman-utah#axzz1WWlIKf00 |title=New Mexico Governor to Compete in Ironman Utah |date=June 3, 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105215854/http://ironman.com/holdingcell/2002/june-2002/new-mexico-governor-to-compete-in-ironman-utah |archive-date=November 5, 2011 }}</ref> He once ran {{convert|100|miles}} in 30 consecutive hours in the [[Rocky Mountains]].<ref name="He Just Said No to the Drug War"/> On May 30, 2003, he reached the summit of [[Mount Everest]]<ref name="Former governor scales Mount Everest">{{cite news|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/jun/08/former_governor_scales|title=Former governor scales Mount Everest|date=June 8, 2003|work=Lawrence Journal-World Online Edition|location=Lawrence, Kansas|agency=Associated Press|access-date=April 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523042609/http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/jun/08/former_governor_scales/|archive-date=May 23, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> "despite toes blackened with [[frostbite]]."<ref name=Maverick /> He has climbed all of the [[Seven Summits]]: [[Mount Everest]], [[Mount Elbrus]], [[Denali]], [[Mount Kilimanjaro]], [[Aconcagua]], [[Mount Vinson]], and [[Carstensz Pyramid]]{{snd}}the tallest peaks in Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, South America, Antarctica, and Australia respectively.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nancy |last=Szokan |date=September 19, 2016 |title=Gary Johnson's impressive track record {{snd}} in another kind of race |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/gary-johnsons-impressive-track-record--in-another-kind-of-race/2016/09/19/269869f6-7aab-11e6-beac-57a4a412e93a_story.html |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917215343/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/gary-johnsons-impressive-track-record--in-another-kind-of-race/2016/09/19/269869f6-7aab-11e6-beac-57a4a412e93a_story.html |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> He completed the [[Bataan Memorial Death March]] at [[White Sands Missile Range]] in New Mexico, in which participants traverse a {{cvt|26.2|mi|km}} course through the desert, many of them in combat boots and wearing {{convert|35|lb|kg|adj=on}} packs.<ref>{{cite news|title=GOP Presidential Hopefuls Go To Ames, Gary Johnson Rides a Bike|first=Michael|last=Corjulo|newspaper=[[Talking Points Memo]]|date=August 9, 2011|url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/gop-presidential-hopefuls-go-to-ames-gary-johnson-rides-a-bike.php|access-date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901012016/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/gop-presidential-hopefuls-go-to-ames-gary-johnson-rides-a-bike.php|archive-date=September 1, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 12, 2005, Johnson was involved in a near-fatal [[paragliding]] accident when his wing caught in a tree and he fell approximately {{convert|50|feet|m}} to the ground. He suffered multiple bone fractures, including a burst fracture to his twelfth [[thoracic vertebrae|thoracic vertebra]], a broken rib, and a broken knee; the accident left him {{convert|1+1/2|in|cm}} shorter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Governor Johnson Injured While Paragliding|first=Miguel|last=Navrot|newspaper=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|date=October 24, 2005|url=https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/401650nm10-24-05.htm|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185349/https://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/401650nm10-24-05.htm|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="eagletribune">{{cite web|url=http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x1117976701/Johnson-campaign-tests-GOP-support-for-classical-liberal/print|title=Johnson campaign tests GOP support for 'classical liberal'|last1=Toole|first1=John|date=September 9, 2011|website=eagletribune.com|publisher=[[The Eagle-Tribune]]|access-date=July 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714210241/http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x1117976701/Johnson-campaign-tests-GOP-support-for-classical-liberal/print|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=yahoonews>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/gary-johnson-gets-chance-230947988.html|title=Unorthodox GOP candidate Gary Johnson gets his chance in Orlando debate|last1=Moody|first1=Chris|date=September 21, 2011|website=Yahoo! News|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|access-date=July 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181128/https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/gary-johnson-gets-chance-230947988.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He used [[medical cannabis|medicinal marijuana]] for pain control from 2005 to 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last=McCormack|first=John|title=Gov. Gary Johnson: I Smoked Marijuana from 2005 to 2008|url=https://www.weeklystandard.com/john-mccormack/gov-gary-johnson-i-smoked-marijuana-from-2005-to-2008|work=The Weekly Standard|date=December 6, 2010|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917181815/https://www.weeklystandard.com/john-mccormack/gov-gary-johnson-i-smoked-marijuana-from-2005-to-2008|archive-date=September 17, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Johnson is a [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] and has said that his belief in God has given him "a very fundamental belief that [[Golden Rule|we should do unto others as we would have others do unto us]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reason.com/archives/2011/10/11/gary-johnson-candidate-profile|title=Gary Johnson Candidate Profile|work=Reason|date=October 11, 2011|access-date=November 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002013458/http://reason.com/archives/2011/10/11/gary-johnson-candidate-profile|archive-date=October 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Johnson has [[celiac disease]] and maintains a [[gluten-free diet]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/09/30/496139721/gary-johnson-is-probably-the-healthiest-candidate-for-president |title=Gary Johnson Is Probably The Healthiest Candidate For President |work=[[NPR]] |date=September 30, 2016 |first=Jessica |last=Taylor |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816125844/https://www.npr.org/2016/09/30/496139721/gary-johnson-is-probably-the-healthiest-candidate-for-president |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin|title=[[1994 New Mexico gubernatorial election]]<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.sos.state.nm.us/uploads/files/Election%20Results/CanvassGeneral1994.pdf|title =Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 8, 1994 – State of New Mexico|access-date =November 8, 2012|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140221141231/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/uploads/files/Election%20Results/CanvassGeneral1994.pdf|archive-date =February 21, 2014|url-status =dead}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Republican Party (United States)
|candidate=Gary Johnson
|votes=232,945
|percentage=49.8%
|change=+4.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Bruce King]] ([[Incumbent|inc.]])
|votes=186,686
|percentage=39.9%
|change=-14.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Roberto Mondragón]]
|votes=47,990
|percentage=10.3%
|change=
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes=46,259
|percentage=9.9%
|change=+0.4%
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=467,621
|percentage=
|change=
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
|winner=Republican Party (United States)
|loser=Democratic Party (United States)
|swing=
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1998 New Mexico gubernatorial election]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us//Main/Elections/1998/98General/rsult001.HTM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081130191306/http://www.sos.state.nm.us//Main/Elections/1998/98General/rsult001.HTM|archive-date=November 30, 2008|title=State of New Mexico Official 1998 General Election Results for Governor Of New Mexico}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Republican Party (United States)
|candidate=Gary Johnson ([[Incumbent|inc.]])
|votes=271,948
|percentage=54.5%
|change=+4.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Martin Chávez]]
|votes=226,755
|percentage=45.5%
|change=+5.6%
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes=45,193
|percentage=9.1%
|change=-0.8%
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes=498,703
|percentage=
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Republican Party (United States)
|swing=
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[2012 United States presidential election]]<ref name="electionatlas-2012">{{cite web |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2012&off=0&elect=0&f=0 |title=2012 Presidential General Election Results |website=uselectionatlas.org |first=Dave |last=Leip |access-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115202420/http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2012&off=0&elect=0&f=0 |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Election on November 6, 2012
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Barack Obama]] ([[Incumbent|inc.]])
|votes=65,915,795
|percentage=51.2%
|change=-1.8%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Republican Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Mitt Romney]]
|votes=60,933,504
|percentage=47.3%
|change=+1.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate  = '''Gary Johnson'''
|votes=1,275,971
|percentage=1.0%
|change=+0.6%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Jill Stein]]
|votes=469,627
|percentage=0.4%
|change=+0.2%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Virgil Goode]]
|votes=121,616
|percentage=0.1%
|change=-0.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
|party=Others
|candidate=Others
|votes=434,247
|percentage=0.3%
|change=-0.5%
}}
{{Election box majority|
|votes=(1,333,513)
|percentage=(1.0%)
|change=
}}
{{Election box turnout|
|votes='''129,132,140'''
|percentage='''57.5%'''
|change=
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner=Democratic Party (United States)
|swing=
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[2016 United States presidential election]]<ref name="electionatlas-2016">{{cite web |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |title=2016 Presidential General Election Results |website=uselectionatlas.org |first=Dave |last=Leip |access-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709214827/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Election on November 8, 2016
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Republican Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Donald Trump]]
|votes=62,984,828
|percentage=46.1%
|change=-1.1%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Hillary Clinton]]
|votes=65,853,514
|percentage=48.2%
|change=-3.0%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate  = '''Gary Johnson'''
|votes=4,489,235
|percentage=3.3%
|change='''+2.3%'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Green Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Jill Stein]]
|votes=1,457,226
|percentage=1.1%
|change=+0.7%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party=Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate=Darrell Castle
|votes=203,069
|percentage=0.1%
|change=0%
}}
{{Election box candidate|
|party=Others
|candidate=Others
|votes=984,722
|percentage=0.7%
|change=+0.4%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
|winner=Republican Party (United States)
|loser=Democratic Party (United States)
|swing=
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[2018 United States Senate election in New Mexico]]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party=Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate=[[Martin Heinrich]] ([[Incumbent|inc.]])
|votes=373,799
|percentage=54.0%
|change=
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Mick Rich|votes=211,301|percentage=30.6%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate='''Gary Johnson'''|votes=106,524|percentage=15.4%|change=}}
<!--{{Election box gain with party link|
|winner=
|loser=
|swing=
}}-->
{{Election box end}}

==Books==
* ''Seven Principles of Good Government: Gary Johnson on liberty, people and politics''. 2012. Aberdeen, WA: Silver Lake Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1563439131}}. {{OCLC|809701081}}
* ''Common Sense for the Common Good; Libertarianism as the End of Two-Party Tyranny'' was published as an e-book on September 27, 2016. Johnson describes the book as an examination of "the root causes that have brought the two-party system to crisis."<ref name="CommonSense">{{cite news|title=E-book from libertarian Gary Johnson coming Sept. 27|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/31/e-book-from-libertarian-gary-johnson-coming-sept-2/|access-date=August 31, 2016|agency=AP|newspaper=[[Washington Times]]|date=August 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901144658/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/31/e-book-from-libertarian-gary-johnson-coming-sept-2/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''How Liberty Can Change the World'' was published by [[Broadside Books|Broadside]] on June 13, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Albanese |first=Andrew Richard |date=December 9, 2016 |title=Spring 2017 Announcements: Politics & Current Events |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/72241-spring-2017-announcements-politics-current-events.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=[[Publishers Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101128033916/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/speech?contentId=16068 2001] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20110528082706/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/speech?contentId=16108 2002] State of the State speeches from stateline.org
* [http://www.socaltech.com/republican_presidential_candidate_gary_johnson_on_technology/s-0039142.html Republican Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson On Technology], Benjamin Kuo, ''socalTECH.com'', November 2011

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Gary Johnson}}
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/Gary_Johnson.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* {{C-SPAN|20244}}
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1497663 Appearances] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
* [http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/j/gary_e_johnson/index.html Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The New York Times]]''
* [http://topics.wsj.com/person/J/gary-johnson/6587 Collected news and commentary] at ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' (paywall)
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/candidate.php?id=N00033226 Financial information] at [[OpenSecrets]]
* [https://www.libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com/about-us Gary Johnson at Libertarians for National Popular Vote]

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{{s-ttl|title=[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] [[List of United States Libertarian Party presidential tickets|nominee]] for [[President of the United States]]|years=[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]], [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Aubrey Dunn Jr.]]<br>Withdrew}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] nominee for [[List of United States Senators from New Mexico|U.S. Senator]] from [[New Mexico]]<br>([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 1]])|years=[[2018 United States Senate election in New Mexico|2018]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor of New Mexico]]|years=1995–2003}}
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{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Garrey Carruthers]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Susana Martinez]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-end}}

{{Gary Johnson|state=expand}}
{{Governors of New Mexico}}
{{United States presidential election, 2012}}
{{United States presidential election, 2016}}
{{Libertarian Party (United States)}}
{{Libertarianism}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Gary}}
[[Category:Gary Johnson| ]]
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:20th-century New Mexico politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Lutherans]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century New Mexico politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Lutherans]]
[[Category:American athlete-politicians]]
[[Category:American cannabis activists]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American construction businesspeople]]
[[Category:American gun rights activists]]
[[Category:American Lutherans]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American male triathletes]]
[[Category:American people of Russian descent]]
[[Category:American politicians of Ukrainian descent]]
[[Category:American political writers]]
[[Category:American summiters of Mount Everest]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2012 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2016 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States Senate elections]]
[[Category:Christian libertarians]]
[[Category:Governors of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Libertarian Party (United States) presidential nominees]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New Mexico Libertarians]]
[[Category:New Mexico Republicans]]
[[Category:People from Minot, North Dakota]]
[[Category:People from Taos, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Politicians from Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Politicians from Santa Fe, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Republican Party governors of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Sigma Alpha Epsilon members]]
[[Category:University of New Mexico alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Albuquerque, New Mexico]]