Gary Johnson: A Zero To Hero

In the landscape of American politics, few figures embody the libertarian spirit quite like Gary Johnson. As a two-term governor, presidential candidate, entrepreneur, and adventurer, Johnson has carved out a unique place in political history. This post examines Johnson’s career, political philosophy, accomplishments, controversies, and lasting impact on American politics.

Who Is Gary Johnson?

Gary Earl Johnson was born on January 1, 1953, in Minot, North Dakota. Before entering politics, Johnson built a successful construction company, Big J Enterprises, from a one-person operation into a corporation with over 1,000 employees. This business background would later influence his fiscally conservative approach to governance.

Johnson’s political career began when he successfully ran for Governor of New Mexico as a Republican in 1994, despite having no prior political experience. He served two consecutive terms from 1995 to 2003, establishing himself as a fiscal conservative who focused on limited government, tax reduction, and balanced budgets.

Johnson’s national profile rose significantly when he ran for President of the United States as the Libertarian Party nominee in both 2012 and 2016. His 2016 campaign, with running mate Bill Weld, garnered nearly 4.5 million votes (3.3% of the popular vote), the best showing for a Libertarian presidential candidate in the party’s history.

Johnson’s Political Philosophy

At the core of Johnson’s political identity is his libertarian philosophy, which advocates for:

• Fiscal conservatism: Government spending cuts, balanced budgets, and tax reduction
• Social liberalism: Support for same-sex marriage, cannabis legalization, and abortion rights
• Non-interventionist foreign policy: Skepticism toward military interventions abroad
• Free market principles: Minimal government regulation of business and economic activity
• Civil liberties protection: Strong defense of constitutional rights and personal freedoms

Johnson often described his approach as combining the best aspects of both major parties—fiscal responsibility from Republicans and social tolerance from Democrats—while rejecting what he saw as their worst elements.

Achievements and Positive Impact

Gubernatorial Success

As Governor of New Mexico, Johnson compiled an impressive record:

• Left office with a budget surplus and New Mexico’s debt reduced
• Vetoed over 750 bills, more than all other governors combined during his tenure
• Cut taxes 14 times while never raising them
• Created thousands of private-sector jobs through economic development
• Improved the state’s infrastructure, particularly roads and highways

Advocacy for Cannabis Reform

Long before marijuana legalization became mainstream, Johnson advocated for cannabis reform. He was one of the highest-ranking elected officials to call for marijuana legalization in the 1990s, citing practical considerations about criminal justice resources and personal freedom. His early advocacy helped pave the way for the wave of legalization that would follow decades later.

Third-Party Legitimacy

Johnson’s presidential campaigns helped bring libertarian ideas into mainstream political discourse. His 2016 showing demonstrated that third-party candidates could achieve meaningful electoral results, even within America’s two-party dominated system.

Controversies and Criticisms

The “Aleppo Moment”

Perhaps Johnson’s most infamous political moment came during a 2016 interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” when he responded “What is Aleppo?” to a question about the Syrian city at the center of the refugee crisis. This gaffe raised serious concerns about his foreign policy knowledge and readiness to serve as commander-in-chief.

Ideological Consistency Questions

Some libertarians criticized Johnson for not being ideologically pure enough, particularly regarding his support for some government programs and regulations that more hardline libertarians opposed. Conversely, mainstream voters often found his positions on drastically reducing government too extreme.

Campaign Management Issues

Both of Johnson’s presidential campaigns faced criticism for strategic and tactical missteps, including failure to qualify for the presidential debates, organizational challenges, and difficulties raising sufficient funds to compete against the major parties.

Technical Analysis: Johnson’s Economic Approach

Johnson’s economic philosophy centers on what economists call “classical liberalism” combined with monetarist principles. His approach can be technically described through several key components:

1. Zero-based budgeting: Rather than starting with previous budgets as baselines, Johnson advocated examining each program’s funding from zero annually, requiring justification for every dollar.
2. Consumption tax model: Johnson proposed replacing income taxes with the “FairTax,” a national consumption tax of approximately 23% that would theoretically eliminate the need for the IRS while maintaining revenue neutrality.
3. Regulatory cost-benefit analysis: Johnson implemented a rigorous cost-benefit framework for regulations, requiring demonstrable net benefits before implementation.
4. Privatization mechanisms: As governor, Johnson utilized public-private partnerships and competitive contracting to reduce government’s direct role in service provision.
5. Government efficiency metrics: Johnson established performance metrics for government agencies, using data-driven approaches to evaluate program effectiveness.

This technical framework demonstrates how Johnson attempted to apply business principles to government operations, treating taxpayers as shareholders deserving maximum return on investment.

Personal Life and Character

Beyond politics, Johnson is known for his adventurous spirit and athletic accomplishments. He has:

• Climbed the highest mountain on each continent, including Mount Everest
• Completed numerous Ironman triathlons
• Participated in extreme skiing competitions
• Recovered from a serious paragliding accident that left him with multiple injuries

These personal accomplishments reflect Johnson’s determination, physical discipline, and willingness to take calculated risks—qualities that informed his political career as well.

Legacy and Current Activities

Johnson’s political legacy includes:

• Expanding the visibility and viability of libertarian ideas in American politics
• Demonstrating that fiscally conservative, socially liberal positioning can attract voters
• Serving as an early advocate for policy positions that later gained mainstream acceptance
• Setting third-party vote percentage records in numerous states

After his 2016 presidential run, Johnson largely stepped back from politics. He became CEO of Cannabis Sativa Inc., a marijuana products company, though he later left that position. In recent years, he has focused on his personal interests, including outdoor sports and activities.

Conclusion: Johnson’s Place in American Politics

Gary Johnson represents a political road less traveled—a path that challenges America’s entrenched two-party system and offers an alternative vision of government that is both smaller in size and scope yet more permissive on personal freedom issues.

While Johnson never achieved his highest political ambition, his influence on political discourse, policy debates, and the libertarian movement remains significant. In an increasingly polarized political environment, his pragmatic libertarian approach continues to resonate with voters frustrated by the limitations of the two-party system.

Whether viewed as a serious statesman or a political curiosity, Gary Johnson’s contributions to American political life have earned him a distinctive place in contemporary political history. His career reminds us that American democracy still has room for independent thinkers who challenge conventional political categories and champion individual liberty above all else.

FAQs About Gary Johnson

1. Who is Gary Johnson?

Gary Johnson is an American businessman and politician who served as the 29th Governor of New Mexico from 1995 to 2003. He was the Libertarian Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 2012 and 2016.

2. What political party is Gary Johnson affiliated with?

Johnson was originally a Republican but later switched to the Libertarian Party. He ran as the Libertarian presidential candidate in both 2012 and 2016.

3. What are Gary Johnson’s key political beliefs?

He advocates for limited government, individual liberties, lower taxes, marijuana legalization, non-interventionist foreign policy, and criminal justice reform.

4. Why is Gary Johnson known as “Governor Veto”?

During his tenure as Governor of New Mexico, Johnson vetoed more than 750 bills, earning him the nickname “Governor Veto” for his commitment to fiscal conservatism and limited government.

5. What was the “What is Aleppo?” controversy?

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Johnson was asked about his policy on Aleppo, Syria, and responded with “What is Aleppo?” The moment raised concerns about his foreign policy knowledge.

6. How did Gary Johnson perform in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections?

In 2012, Johnson received about 1% of the popular vote. In 2016, he improved significantly, securing around 3.3% of the vote, making him the most successful Libertarian presidential candidate in history.

7. What business ventures has Gary Johnson been involved in?

Johnson founded Big J Enterprises, a construction company that became a multimillion-dollar business. His business success helped establish his reputation before entering politics.

8. Did Gary Johnson run for office after 2016?

Yes, in 2018, he ran for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico as a Libertarian but lost, receiving about 15% of the vote.

9. What is Gary Johnson doing now?

After his 2018 Senate run, Johnson largely stepped back from politics and has maintained a low public profile.

10. How has Gary Johnson influenced American politics?

Although he never won national office, Johnson helped bring libertarian ideas into mainstream political discussions, particularly regarding government spending, civil liberties, and foreign policy.