Brad Johnson (Montana)

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Brad Johnson
Image of Brad Johnson

Republican Party

Prior offices
Montana Secretary of State
Montana Public Service Commission District 5
Successor: Ann Bukacek
Elections and appointments
Last election

June 4, 2024

Education

High school

Cary-Grove Community High School, 1969

Bachelor's

University of Illinois, 1976

Graduate

University of Illinois, 1976

Personal
Profession
Consultant
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Brad Johnson (Republican Party) was a member of the Montana Public Service Commission, representing District 5. He assumed office in 2015. He left office on January 2, 2023.

Johnson (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Montana. He lost in the Republican primary on June 4, 2024.

Johnson is a former Montana secretary of state. He was elected in 2004 and lost his bid for re-election in 2008 to Linda McCulloch (D).

Biography

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Johnson was born in Lake Forest, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1976 with a master's degree in agriculture and moved to Montana in 1980 to begin his career.[1] Johnson was a member of the College Republicans at the University of Illinois and volunteered on presidential campaigns for both Richard Nixon and John Connaly. Once in Montana, Johnson became the district representative for Montana’s former Congressman Ron Marlene. He was appointed to serve on the Montana Republican Party’s executive board and was reappointed in 2003.[1]

Prior to running for office in 2004, Johnson owned an auto parts store and worked for a firm called RightNow Technologies. When he left the secretary of state's office in 2008, he started working as a consultant and as part of a group developing a small-scale alternative energy venture.[2][3]

Elections

2024

See also: United States Senate election in Montana, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Montana

Tim Sheehy defeated incumbent Jon Tester, Sid Daoud, and Robert Barb in the general election for U.S. Senate Montana on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Tim Sheehy
Tim Sheehy (R)
 
53.3
 
289,696
Image of Jon Tester
Jon Tester (D)
 
44.9
 
243,986
Image of Sid Daoud
Sid Daoud (L) Candidate Connection
 
1.1
 
6,239
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Robert Barb (G)
 
0.6
 
3,441

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source

Total votes: 543,362
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Incumbent Jon Tester defeated Michael Hummert in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jon Tester
Jon Tester
 
97.0
 
104,279
Image of Michael Hummert
Michael Hummert
 
3.0
 
3,272

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 107,551
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Tim Sheehy defeated Brad Johnson and Charles A. Walking Child in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Tim Sheehy
Tim Sheehy
 
73.6
 
139,857
Image of Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson
 
19.4
 
36,926
Image of Charles A. Walking Child
Charles A. Walking Child Candidate Connection
 
7.0
 
13,229

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 190,012
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green primary election

Green primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Michael Downey defeated Robert Barb in the Green primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Michael Downey
 
62.4
 
679
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Robert Barb
 
37.6
 
410

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,089
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Sid Daoud advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. Senate Montana.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Johnson in this election.

2022

See also: Montana Public Service Commission election, 2022

Brad Johnson was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.

2020

See also: Montana Secretary of State election, 2020

Montana Secretary of State election, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)

Montana Secretary of State election, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for Montana Secretary of State

Christi Jacobsen defeated Bryce Bennett in the general election for Montana Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Christi Jacobsen
Christi Jacobsen (R)
 
59.6
 
352,939
Image of Bryce Bennett
Bryce Bennett (D)
 
40.4
 
239,617

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 592,556
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Secretary of State

Bryce Bennett advanced from the Democratic primary for Montana Secretary of State on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bryce Bennett
Bryce Bennett
 
100.0
 
130,181

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 130,181
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Secretary of State

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Montana Secretary of State on June 2, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Christi Jacobsen
Christi Jacobsen
 
29.4
 
57,941
Image of Scott Sales
Scott Sales
 
25.3
 
49,759
Image of Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson
 
23.1
 
45,526
Image of Forrest Mandeville
Forrest Mandeville
 
10.3
 
20,318
Image of Bowen Greenwood
Bowen Greenwood
 
7.1
 
14,080
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Kurt Johnson
 
4.7
 
9,316

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 196,940
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2018

See also: Montana Public Service Commission election, 2018

General election

General election for Montana Public Service Commission District 5

Incumbent Brad Johnson defeated Andy Shirtliff in the general election for Montana Public Service Commission District 5 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (R)
 
57.8
 
60,434
Image of Andy Shirtliff
Andy Shirtliff (D) Candidate Connection
 
42.2
 
44,103

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 104,537
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5

Andy Shirtliff defeated Tyrel Suzor-Hoy and Henry Clay Speich in the Democratic primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Andy Shirtliff
Andy Shirtliff Candidate Connection
 
64.3
 
12,783
Image of Tyrel Suzor-Hoy
Tyrel Suzor-Hoy
 
22.0
 
4,382
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Henry Clay Speich
 
13.7
 
2,729

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 19,894
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5

Incumbent Brad Johnson advanced from the Republican primary for Montana Public Service Commission District 5 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson
 
100.0
 
29,589

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 29,589
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Montana gubernatorial election, 2016

Johnson was initially considering a run for governor of Montana in 2016. However, he dropped out of the race in September 2015, stating he would not be able to compete with opponent and businessman Greg Gianforte without fundraising full-time and compromising his duties on the Public Service Commission.[4]

2014

See also: Montana down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Johnson ran for election to the office of Montana Public Service Commissioner. He won the Republican primary on June 3, 2014.[5][6] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

Results

Primary results
Montana Public Service Commissioner #5, Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Johnson 49.5% 12,578
Derek Skees 34% 8,640
John Campbell 16.4% 4,172
Total Votes 25,390
Election results via Montana Secretary of State.
General election
Public Service Commissioner of Montana, District 5, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Johnson 61% 44,818
     Democratic Galen Hollenbaugh 39% 28,625
Total Votes 73,443
Election results via Montana Secretary of State

2012

See also: Montana secretary of state election, 2012

Current secretary of state Linda McCulloch (D) unseated Johnson in the 2008 secretary of state election. On October 13, 2011, Johnson announced his bid to reclaim the seat. He successfully overtook Drew Turiano, Scott Aspenlieder and Patty Lovaas for the Republican nomination in the primary election on June 5, 2012.

Johnson came in second to incumbent Linda McCulloch (D) and Roger Roots (L) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[7]

Montana Secretary of State General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngLinda McCulloch Incumbent 51.4% 245,024
     Republican Brad Johnson 45.1% 214,976
     Libertarian Roger Roots 3.5% 16,622
Total Votes 476,622
Election results via Montana Secretary of State


  • Primary
Montana Secretary of State Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Johnson 55.1% 66,148
Scott Aspenlieder 22.7% 27,204
Patty Lovaas 15.5% 18,652
Drew Turiano 6.7% 8,074
Total Votes 120,078
Election results via Montana Secretary of State.



2008

Johnson narrowly lost his bid for re-election in the 2008 race for Montana Secretary of State to Linda McCulloch (D).

Montana Secretary of State, 2008
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngLinda McCulloch 49.3% 233,717
     Republican Brad Johnson 48.2% 228,412
     Constitution Sieglinde Sharbono 2.5% 11,722
Total Votes 473,851
Election results via Montana Secretary of State

2004

Johnson successfully won election as Montana Secretary of State in 2004, defeating Democrat Bill Kennedy.

Montana Secretary of State, 2004
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngBrad Johnson 51% 219,821
     Democratic Bill Kennedy 49% 210,972
Total Votes 430,793
Election results via Montana Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Brad Johnson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Johnson's campaign website stated the following:

“

Immigration
We do not have a country if we do not have borders. America needs to return to President Trump’s immigration policies and finally Finish the Wall and deport as many illegal aliens as possible. The bottom line is illegal means illegal. We have illegals walking across our border because Joe Biden wants them to come here and vote. But, it is not just Mexican nationals coming here. We have people from the Middle East and other hostile regions coming through our southern border unvetted and unaccounted for - and they are trafficking drugs which are killing Americans and destroying entire communities.

Economy
Brad Johnson takes a no-nonsense approach to the economy. America cannot spend itself rich nor are there justifiable tax increases that can bring us any closer to a healthy economy. The only way to effectively rebuild the economy is to bring runaway inflation under control by reigning in federal spending and finally pass a Balanced Budget Amendment. Second Amendment
Brad Johnson stands rock-solid on the Second Amendment and will be a no-compromise champion for our constitutional gun rights. . He'll support constitutional carry, fight any federal move to restrict your gun rights, and oppose efforts to restrict ammo access. Protecting your family is a God-given right, not a government endowed privilege. The Second Amendment has to do with fundamental and individual right to keep and bear arms - and nothing to do with hunting, target shooting, or collecting and everything to do with defending our homes and our families.

Energy
Brad Johnson understands the life blood of our economy. It is critically important that we return to energy independence and that we do not allow climate hysteria and supporters of the New Green Deal drive us over the edge of the energy cliff.

Public Lands
The federal government continues to fail Montana in properly managing Federal lands in our state. This has led to catastrophic wildfires that destroy our clean air, pure water, and abundant wildlife. They have forced Montanans off public lands by blocking off our access to over 20,000 miles of public access roads and crippled Montana’s natural resource production. The unconstitutional CSKT Water Compact is a clear example of the federal government taking away power from the states. This legislation took away access to public lands, water, and jeopardized energy security.

National Security
Brad understands that a strong America is a safe America. In a world filled with ever-evolving threats, he's committed to bolstering our military, enhancing cyber-security, and ensuring our intelligence agencies focus on our enemies and not our law-abiding citizens. Brad will lead to bring back the Reagan vision where 'peace through strength' isn't just a slogan, but a guiding principle of our national policy.

Agriculture
As a rancher himself, Brad Johnson knows what's at stake for agriculture and energy. He'll slash energy costs and upgrade infrastructure to fortify our farming and energy sectors. Energy independence isn't just an option—it's a national imperative. With Brad in charge, we'll never let enemies control our food or our future.

Education
You cannot reform something that should not have been created in the first place. If we want to improve education, and allow our students to compete in a free market, we need to abolish the US Department of Education. The education system is being hijacked to indoctrinate our children with radical agendas—and to stop this from happening, we need to give control back to our local school boards where parents can have a say in their childrens’ education. We should encourage states to embrace school choice programs that allow parents’ money to follow their child to the school of their choice. A cornerstone of American freedom is providing a comprehensive civics education throughout every year of the K-12 experience. And furthermore, we need to end indoctrination of our college and university students and make colleges and universities a beacon for free speech and the exchange of ideas.

Healthcare
Obamacare is a dismal failure. Congress missed a golden opportunity to put in place a truly comprehensive, means-tested voucher system for those who legitimately cannot afford to pay some or all of their health insurance premiums. Dr. Fauci inflicted unimaginable and unnecessary pain on the American people due to his agenda-driven handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Right to Life
As a lifelong anti-abortion champion, I know that abortion and gender transition are not healthcare and should not be funded by the government. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that these decisions need to be left to the states.

Gender Transition
FACT: There are only two genders and they are determined at the moment of conception.

The transgender movement has done incalculable harm to countless numbers of young people in this country. That same movement is waging a war against traditional parental rights - and the right of women to compete in sports with athletes of their same biological se

Big Pharma
The FDA, CDC, Joe Biden, and Dr. Fauci were complicit with Big Pharma in their realization of roughly $100 billion in profits during the coronavirus outbreak.[8]

”
—Brad Johnson's campaign website (2024) [9]

2020

Brad Johnson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Brad Johnson campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. Senate MontanaLost primary$38,786 $35,694
2014Montana Public Service Commission District 5Won $34,336 N/A**
2012Montana Secretary of StateLost $73,519 N/A**
2010Montana Public Service Commission District 5Lost $3,200 N/A**
2008Montana Secretary of StateLost $145,083 N/A**
2004Montana Secretary of StateWon $176,733 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

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External links

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Montana Secretary of State, "About the Montana secretary of state," accessed March 2, 2012
    2. ↑ The Missoulian, "Brad Johnson announces bid to regain secretary of state's office," October 13, 2011
    3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bradjohnson
    4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dropout
    5. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Election Night Results," June 4, 2014
    6. ↑ Montana Secretary of State, Candidate Filing, accessed March 11, 2014
    7. ↑ Ballotpedia, "Montana Secretary of State election, 2012," accessed August 6, 2015
    8. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    9. ↑ Brad Johnson’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed April 16, 2024

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -     		Montana Public Service Commission District 5
    2015-2023    		 Succeeded by
    Ann Bukacek (R)
    Preceded by
    -     		Montana Secretary of State
    2004-2008    		 Succeeded by
    -


    Montana's current delegation to the United States Congress
    Senators
    Steve Daines (R)
    Jon Tester (D)
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    District 2
    Republican Party (3)
    Democratic Party (1)


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