Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson
Born	Ronald Harold Johnson 8 4, 1955
Birthplace	Mankato, Minnesota, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, politician
Known for	U.S. Senator from Wisconsin (2011–present), Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (2015–2021)
Education	University of Minnesota (BS)
Children	3
Website	[https://ronjohnson.senate.gov/ Official site]

Ronald Harold Johnson (born April 8, 1955) is an American businessman and politician who has served as the senior United States senator from Wisconsin since January 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Johnson first won election to the Senate in 2010 by defeating longtime Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold, a victory fueled in part by the Tea Party movement and opposition to the Affordable Care Act. He was reelected in 2016, defeating Feingold in a rematch, and won a third term in 2022 in a narrow contest against Mandela Barnes, the lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. Before entering politics, Johnson served as the chief executive officer of a plastics manufacturing company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. During his time in the Senate, he chaired the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs from 2015 to 2021, using the position to conduct investigations into matters ranging from government spending to federal law enforcement activities. In his third term, Johnson has been an outspoken figure on immigration enforcement, government spending, and federal agency oversight, continuing to align closely with former and current President Donald Trump.

Early Life

Ronald Harold Johnson was born on April 8, 1955, in Mankato, Minnesota. He grew up in a middle-class family in Minnesota. Details about his parents and early childhood are limited in publicly available records, though Johnson has spoken in various public forums about his upbringing in the Upper Midwest and the values he attributes to his formative years there.

Johnson's family background was rooted in the working and business traditions of the region. He has described himself as someone who came to political engagement relatively late in life, driven primarily by concerns about fiscal policy and the direction of the federal government rather than lifelong political ambition.

Johnson is of Lutheran faith. At the opening of the 112th United States Congress in January 2011, he was noted among new and returning members of Congress with Lutheran religious affiliations.

After completing his education, Johnson relocated to Wisconsin, where he would build his business career and eventually his political life. His move to the state came in connection with professional opportunities in the manufacturing sector, which would become the foundation of his pre-political career.

Education

Johnson attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His undergraduate studies provided the academic background for his subsequent career in business and manufacturing. Johnson has credited his education with helping prepare him for the operational and financial aspects of running a company, though he has frequently emphasized his real-world business experience over academic credentials when discussing his qualifications for public office.

Career

Business Career

Before entering politics, Johnson built a career in the private sector as a businessman in Wisconsin. He served as the chief executive officer of PACUR, a plastics manufacturing company based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The company, which is a supplier of polyester and polycarbonate sheet products, is a subsidiary of, or has business connections to, Bemis Company, a major packaging corporation. Johnson's role at PACUR provided him with the business background that would become central to his political identity as a fiscally conservative candidate focused on economic issues and government spending.

Johnson's tenure in the private sector spanned several decades before he entered the political arena. He has frequently cited his experience as a business executive when discussing issues related to the economy, regulation, and government spending, positioning himself as an outsider with practical knowledge of how government policy affects the private sector.

Entry into Politics

Johnson's entry into politics was driven principally by his opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the healthcare reform legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. He has credited the Tea Party movement with facilitating his political rise, although he has stated that he does not personally identify as a member of the movement.

In the 2010 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin, Johnson emerged as the nominee. He went on to face three-term Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold in the general election. Running on a platform centered on opposition to the ACA, fiscal conservatism, and reduced government spending, Johnson defeated Feingold in what was considered one of the significant Republican victories of the 2010 midterm elections, which saw the party gain six seats in the Senate.

Johnson largely self-financed portions of his initial campaign, a practice he would continue in subsequent elections.

First Term in the Senate (2011–2017)

Johnson took office on January 3, 2011, succeeding Feingold as the junior senator from Wisconsin. As a freshman senator, he developed a reputation for opposing government spending and advocating for a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. He stalled or voted against budget proposals from both the Republican and Democratic parties when he believed they did not adequately offset new spending with corresponding cuts.

Johnson was critical of the Social Security program and called for its partial privatization, arguing that market-based reforms would improve the program's long-term sustainability. He also emerged as an advocate for free trade, stronger measures against crime and illegal immigration, and protection of Second Amendment gun rights.

During his first term, Johnson also became involved in healthcare policy beyond his opposition to the ACA. He advocated for the use of alternative medicine and sponsored right-to-try legislation, which sought to legalize the use of experimental medical treatments for terminally ill patients who had exhausted approved treatment options.

Johnson was identified as one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents heading into the 2016 election cycle. Analysts noted that Wisconsin's political landscape, combined with anticipated higher turnout in a presidential election year, could pose challenges for his reelection. Despite these concerns, he received endorsements from conservative organizations including the Club for Growth.

In the 2016 general election, Johnson again faced Russ Feingold in a rematch of their 2010 contest. Johnson won reelection, defeating Feingold for a second time.

Second Term and Committee Chairmanship (2017–2023)

Johnson's second term was marked by his role as chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, a position he held from January 2015 to February 2021. In this capacity, he oversaw investigations into a range of subjects, including government operations, federal spending, and regulatory matters.

During his second term, Johnson became increasingly aligned with President Donald Trump and used his committee chairmanship to lead investigations into figures and events related to the political opposition. These included investigations into Hillary Clinton, Hunter Biden, and officials involved in the FBI investigation of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.

Johnson also engaged extensively with Ukraine–United States relations during this period. He initially viewed Ukraine as an ally against Russia and supported cooperative efforts between the two nations. However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Johnson shifted his position and stopped supporting military aid for Ukraine, expressing his belief that a Russian victory was inevitable.

Johnson's interactions with Ukrainian officials placed him at the center of the Trump–Ukraine scandal in 2019, which led to the first impeachment of President Trump. Johnson was considered a major witness in the affair due to his contacts with Ukrainian officials and his knowledge of events surrounding the controversy. He characterized the impeachment proceedings as an attempt to sabotage the Trump presidency.

Johnson has also promoted various political conspiracy theories during his time in office. These have included the Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory, claims connecting vaccines to autism, election denial related to the 2020 presidential election, the Great Replacement conspiracy theory, and 9/11 conspiracy theories. He has also rejected the scientific consensus on climate change.

2022 Reelection

In 2022, Johnson ran for a third term in the Senate, despite having previously suggested he might not seek reelection. He faced Democratic nominee Mandela Barnes, who was serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. The race was closely contested, and Johnson won narrowly, securing his third term in office.

Third Term (2023–present)

In his third term, Johnson has focused on investigating what he describes as corruption in federal agencies, alleging that elements within the federal bureaucracy are working against the Trump administration.

Johnson has been a prominent voice on immigration enforcement issues. In early 2026, he accused Democrats of attempting to "neuter" immigration enforcement by seeking to place limitations on the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He expressed sympathy for ICE officers amid protests over immigration enforcement operations, as Congress worked on spending negotiations to avoid a government shutdown.

In a notable exchange during a Senate hearing in February 2026, Johnson had a heated confrontation with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison over the fatal shootings of civilians Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin during immigration enforcement operations. Johnson blamed state and local leaders for the killings, telling Ellison "you disgust me" during the exchange. The confrontation was broadcast on C-SPAN and drew significant national attention.

Johnson also expressed openness to requiring federal immigration officers to wear body cameras, following a proposal by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, stating he was "not opposed" to the measure.

Personal Life

Johnson resides in Wisconsin with his family. He and his wife have three children. Johnson is a member of the Lutheran faith.

Johnson's business interests have been a recurring topic during his political career. His role at PACUR, the Oshkosh-based plastics company, and the company's connections to the broader manufacturing sector have been examined by journalists and political opponents.

He serves alongside Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin as part of Wisconsin's Senate delegation.

Recognition

Johnson's political career has generated both support and criticism. Conservative organizations, including the Club for Growth, have endorsed him for his fiscal positions.

His actions in the Senate have also drawn editorial criticism. In January 2026, The Capital Times published an editorial asserting that Johnson had "betrayed his oath of office," criticizing his conduct across his three terms representing Wisconsin.

Johnson's chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee from 2015 to 2021 represented one of the more prominent positions held by a Wisconsin senator in recent decades. The committee's broad jurisdiction over government operations, federal spending, and homeland security matters gave Johnson a platform for investigations and oversight activities that attracted national media coverage.

His three successful Senate campaigns — in 2010, 2016, and 2022 — have made him one of the more durable Republican politicians in Wisconsin, a state that has been closely contested in recent election cycles. His 2010 victory over Feingold was considered one of the signature results of the Tea Party wave, and his 2016 rematch victory further solidified his political standing in the state.

Johnson has appeared regularly on national news programs and has been a frequent participant in Senate floor debates and committee hearings broadcast on C-SPAN. His involvement in high-profile controversies, including the Trump impeachment proceedings and immigration enforcement debates, has kept him in the national political spotlight throughout his Senate tenure.

Political Positions

Johnson has staked out positions across a range of policy areas during his Senate career. He entered politics primarily to oppose the Affordable Care Act and has remained a critic of the legislation.

On fiscal policy, Johnson has advocated for reduced government spending and a balanced federal budget. He has voted against or stalled budget proposals from both parties when he believed they did not sufficiently offset spending increases. He has been critical of Social Security and has called for partial privatization of the program.

On immigration, Johnson supports stronger enforcement measures and has been an outspoken defender of ICE operations. In 2026, he has been particularly vocal in defending immigration enforcement agents and criticizing state and local officials who he believes have impeded federal operations.

Johnson rejects the scientific consensus on climate change, supports expansion of free trade, and advocates for the protection of gun rights under the Second Amendment.

On healthcare, Johnson has promoted alternative medicine and sponsored right-to-try legislation allowing terminally ill patients access to experimental treatments.

On foreign policy, Johnson initially supported Ukraine in its conflict with Russia but reversed his position following the 2022 Russian invasion, arguing that a Russian victory was inevitable and opposing further military aid.