Judy Johnson for Senate

The public is crying out for pragmatic thinkers and enthusiastic public servants who remember whom they work for. I want to play a part in getting the job done on time and engaging in a respectful debate on the important issues Minnesotans care so much about.
—Judy Johnson, candidate for Minnesota Senate, District 43

Judy Johnson's experience on the Plymouth City Council since the late 1990s and as Mayor since 2003 has well-prepared her to represent the interests of SD 43 in the Minnesota Senate.

Having already worked with the federal, State of Minnesota, and Hennepin County governments, and four school districts, for several years on behalf of the City of Plymouth, Johnson has learned what it takes for a city to function effectively and collaboratively with a complex mix of funding and services from multiple sources. This understanding gives Johnson a head-start on representing all of SD 43.

Johnson's modest nature obscures the fact that my friend Mayor Judy is an even stronger candidate for Senate than I first realized. Johnson's experience is not only deep on local issues but wide and varied:

• Local government: As board member and current president of the League of Minnesota Cities, Johnson's perspective on local governments is statewide. This will help Johnson to represent the interests of SD 43 while truly understanding the concerns and needs of Senators from inner city and outstate districts. She also serves on Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman's Minnesota Mayoral Advisory Committee, and was a participant in a legislative forum on "practical politics" conducted by the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce.


• Education: With four children enrolled in the Wayzata School District and as a frequent parent volunteer, Johnson is a strong supporter of public schools.


• Youth: She is a current liason to the Plymouth Youth Advisory Council, and liason to the Wayzata School District's Communities in Collaboration Council (which promotes collaborative planning and development thoughout the community in order to build assets for youth). She also helps to hand out the D.A.R.E. graduation certificates at Plymouth grade schools.


• Housing: Johnson is a liason to the Plymouth Planning Commission, a commissioner of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority, a board member of Common Bond Communities Village at Basset Creek Senior Housing, and was a panelist on the Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (ICOP) Affordable Housing Forum.


• Public safety: Johnson was appointed by Governor Pawlenty to the State Fire Fighter Board of Training, and graduated from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Citizen Law Enforcement Academy.

A large part of politics is relationships. As even this small excerpt of her resume shows, Johnson has contacts statewide that she will be able to leverage right away in her work at the Capitol. Serving for nine years in nonpartisan office, Johnson has focused on solving problems, improving efficiency, and growing the city of Plymouth. This pragmatic approach to governing is sorely needed in the era of bitter partisanship and gridlock in Saint Paul.

I am proud to join my fellow SD 43 residents of all political stripes in endorsing this hard-working, experienced, dedicated public servant, neighbor, and friend for state Senate. SD 43 is truly fortunate to have the opportunity to elect Judy Johnson as its next state Senator on November 22.

POLITICS