State representative won’t run again

11/17/2005

By Mark Fischenich
CNHI News Service

ST PETER— State Rep. Ruth Johnson, whose district stretches from North Mankato and St. Peter to Gibbon and Gaylord, announced Tuesday that she won’t seek a fourth term in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Known for her enthusiasm for the job, both in campaigning and at the state Capitol, Johnson gave a uncommon explanation for her decision to give up her seat when her current term expires at the end of next year.

“In a democracy, we take turns,” she said, “and I am eager to support other candidates with the vision of traditional Minnesota values shared by citizens in our area.”

Johnson, 58, made a habit of taking turns representing St. Peter and North Mankato in the Legislature, although not always voluntarily.

First elected in 1996 upon the retirement of Rep. Don Ostrom, DFL-St. Peter, Johnson served two years and then accepted gubernatorial candidate Mike Freeman’s invitation to be his running mate. Johnson won the DFL endorsement for lieutenant governor in 1998 but the Freeman-Johnson ticket was defeated in the September primary election.

In 2000, she ran again for the state House, toppling incumbent Rep. Julie Storm, a St. Peter Republican who has since moved to Mankato.

In 2002, redistricting put Johnson in the same district as Rep. Howard Swenson, R-Nicollet. Swenson won, but Johnson won the 2004 rematch. That made Johnson one of very few lawmakers in state history to win three nonconsecutive terms in the House, winning each time it was a presidential election year and losing in each mid-term election.

A fixture in area parades, where she stood out with her trademark red cowboy boots, Johnson wore sneakers for her marathon door-knocking campaigns and called her campaign style “aerobic democracy.”

Other lawmakers credited her hard work for winning — or losing narrowly — in a district which consistently favored Republicans over Democrats in presidential, congressional and gubernatorial races.

Johnson said Tuesday that the thought of another strenuous re-election campaign played no role in her decision.
“I actually really, really enjoy campaigning,” Johnson said.

She said all her runs for office were motivated by a desire to make sure a candidate was elected who was committed to the values which made Minnesota a great state. Strong support for education at all levels topped her list of bedrock Minnesota values.

Johnson said Terry Morrow, the chairman of the St. Peter School Board who is expected to announce today that he will seek the District 23A seat, supports those same values.

No Republicans have stepped forward to announce a run for the seat. Swenson could not be reached for comment about whether he’ll run in 2006.