U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, watches as the Base Closure and Realignment Commission votes to save South Dakota’s Ellsworth Air Force Base on Aug. 26, 2005, in Arlington, Virginia. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Tim Johnson, a former U.S. senator, U.S. representative and state legislator who never lost an election and served longer in state and federal office than any other South Dakotan, died Tuesday at age 77.
A former aide, Drey Samuelson, shared the news early Wednesday morning on Facebook but did not specify a cause of death. Since 2006, Johnson had dealt with the lingering stroke-like effects of brain bleeding caused by a cerebral arteriovenous malformation.
“He died a few hours ago, surrounded by his family, but also surrounded by the love and admiration that all of us have felt for him for many years,” Samuelson wrote.
Johnson served a combined 36 years in the state Legislature, U.S. House and U.S. Senate, a fact made more remarkable by his status as a Democrat in a Republican-leaning state. Since Johnson’s retirement in 2014, no Democrat has held a statewide office in South Dakota.
“It’s hard to imagine someone living a life more meaningful and impactful than Tim’s — and, in the end, impact and meaning are the best that any of us can hope to achieve,” Samuelson wrote on Facebook. “Tim succeeded in reaching those goals way beyond what I’m sure were his wildest dreams when he was a young man.”
Jon Schaff, a professor of government at Northern State University in Aberdeen, said Johnson showed strong political acumen by picking favorable Democratic election cycles to chase electoral opportunities. Johnson also worked hard to moderate his politics and to help his constituents with project funding and other requests.
“There was an enormous amount of goodwill toward Tim Johnson that allowed him to overcome the partisan makeup of the state,” Schaff said. “He was able to get people to vote for the person instead of the policy or party, and as a person he was extraordinarily well-liked. That’s a testament to his character.”
Steve Jarding, who worked for Johnson as a staffer and campaign manager, described Johnson as a humble and hardworking public servant — “a hard man not to respect” — whose humility sometimes caused him to be overlooked and underestimated.
“He was always kind of the unlikeliest candidate, except for the fact that he always won,” Jarding said. “You have to give him a lot of credit, and I never thought he got enough credit for his successes.”
He was always kind of the unlikeliest candidate, except for the fact that he always won.
– Steve Jarding, former staffer and campaign manager for Tim Johnson
Johnson was born Dec. 28, 1946, in Canton. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Dakota, he did post-graduate studies at Michigan State University and worked as a budget adviser to the Michigan state Senate. In 1975, he graduated from the law school at USD.
Johnson launched his historic political career in 1978 by winning a seat in the state House of Representatives. He served there from 1979 until 1982, then in the state Senate from 1983 to 1986 while serving a stint in 1985 as Clay County deputy state’s attorney.
In 1986, then-U.S. Rep. Tom Daschle, a Democrat, gave up his seat to mount a successful campaign for the Senate. Johnson ran for the House seat and won.
After being reelected four times to the House, Johnson unseated Republican Sen. Larry Pressler in a 1996 Senate race.
On Wednesday, Pressler said he and Johnson later became friends. Pressler described Johnson as “a quiet giant of South Dakota politics.”
“Tim Johnson was a great South Dakotan, and I debated him several times, and he was always fair and polite in debates,” Pressler said. “South Dakota has lost a great man.”
Johnson’s defeat of Pressler set up a challenge from then-U.S. Rep. John Thune, a Republican, in 2002. Johnson won that race by 524 votes — 0.15% of the votes cast.
In 2004, Thune went on to topple Daschle, who’d become a U.S. senator. Thune remains in the chamber, where he’s in the running for leader of the Senate Republicans. He issued a statement Wednesday saying he and his wife, Kimberley, “join all South Dakotans in mourning.”
“Known for his tenacity and work ethic, Tim was a steadfast leader who dedicated his life to serving the people of South Dakota with integrity and compassion,” Thune said. “He fought tirelessly for rural America and leaves a legacy that will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
While in the Senate, Johnson rose to the chairmanship of the Banking Committee. Additional highlights of his time in Congress included his work with other South Dakota politicians to remove Ellsworth Air Force Base from a 2005 base closure list; his sponsorship of numerous rural water bills, including legislation supporting major pipelines such as the Mni Wiconi and Lewis & Clark systems; his support for country-of-origin labeling on meat products; and his work to establish the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site near the Badlands.
Johnson split with Democrats at times. He voted for then-President George W. Bush’s tax cuts in 2001, and he was among the last Democratic U.S. senators to oppose same-sex marriage until he changed his position to support marriage equality in 2013.
Johnson was a proud user and defender of earmarks — money in legislation that members of Congress obtain for a project in their district. During a visit to Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City in 2014, his staff distributed a list of $200 million in earmarks he’d obtained for construction at the base in the prior 16 years.
“I’m proud of my earmarks,” he said at the time. “No project was unworthy.”
In 2006, a health problem dealt Johnson the kind of setback no political opponent ever had. He suffered bleeding in the brain from a congenital defect called a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, which resulted in stroke-like symptoms that affected his speech and mobility for the rest of his life.
After a lengthy recuperation and absence from the Senate, Johnson ran for reelection in 2008 and won easily. Jarding said Johnson’s efforts in that race, while struggling just to give a speech, were a “profile in courage.”
“It was a testament to his will power, his perseverance, to his dedication to serve the people of South Dakota,” Jarding said.
Finally, in 2014, facing a potential challenge from Republican former Gov. Mike Rounds, Johnson chose not to seek reelection and retired. Rounds won the Senate seat and still holds it.
Rounds said Wednesday that Johnson was a “class act,” a “fine gentleman” and a “wonderful family man.”
“Trying to work across the aisle, I think some people in South Dakota think it doesn’t work very well,” Rounds said. “But I can tell you with Tim that it did.”
Johnson is survived by his wife, Barbara, their three adult children — Brooks Johnson, former U.S. Attorney for South Dakota Brendan Johnson, and Kelsey Billion — and numerous grandchildren.
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has ordered flags be flown at half-staff statewide until the day of Johnson’s burial. His obituary, issued after Noem’s order, says the funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.
“I worked with Tim Johnson and appreciated that his heart was for the people of South Dakota. He was a true servant,” Noem said in a written statement. “On behalf of the State of South Dakota, our prayers go out to his entire family.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with additional information since its initial publication. South Dakota Searchlight’s John Hult contributed to this report.
A sampling of the tributes that flowed from around the state and nation Wednesday for former U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson:
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware
“Annie and I send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Tim’s family – to Barb, his wife; to his three children, Brooks, Brendan, and Kelsey; and to his many grandchildren. Tim served the people of South Dakota for nearly 30 years with integrity and humility. His bipartisanship and hard work on behalf of his state and our nation made a lasting difference.”
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota
“Senator Tim Johnson worked hard for South Dakota and America for decades. I’m saddened to hear of his passing and am praying for his family and loved ones.”
State Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls, who worked for Johnson for nearly two years in Washington, D.C., as a legislative correspondent
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Tim Johnson. He was a dedicated public servant who tirelessly represented South Dakota for nearly three decades in both state and federal government. His steadfast commitment to the people of our state and his unwavering integrity were the hallmarks of his career. Whether it was fighting for farmers, veterans, or supporting critical infrastructure projects, Tim Johnson’s leadership left a lasting impact on countless lives. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of South Dakotans to serve with the same humility and resolve. My heartfelt condolences go out to Barb, his family, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill
“South Dakota and our country have lost one of the greatest statesmen of all time. His work to make agriculture more fair for farmers and ranchers is a legacy that will last for generations. He was also committed to uplifting our rural communities, helping our smaller towns to thrive. I thank Sen. Johnson for his decades of service to South Dakota and our country. I am sending my love and prayers to his family during this difficult time.”
South Dakota Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba, of Sioux Falls, and South Dakota House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister, of Parade
“On behalf of the South Dakota Democratic House and Senate Caucuses, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tim Johnson. Senator Johnson’s legacy will endure because of his decades of public service dedicated to improving the lives of all South Dakotans. He patiently listened to his constituents, authoritatively advocated for them, and worked across the aisle to create bipartisan solutions. He exemplified what a lawmaker could and should be. His passing is a great loss, not only to his family and friends, but also to the state of South Dakota and to our nation. He was truly a great man and will be deeply missed.”
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by Seth Tupper, South Dakota Searchlight
October 9, 2024
by Seth Tupper, South Dakota Searchlight
October 9, 2024
Tim Johnson, a former U.S. senator, U.S. representative and state legislator who never lost an election and served longer in state and federal office than any other South Dakotan, died Tuesday at age 77.
A former aide, Drey Samuelson, shared the news early Wednesday morning on Facebook but did not specify a cause of death. Since 2006, Johnson had dealt with the lingering stroke-like effects of brain bleeding caused by a cerebral arteriovenous malformation.
“He died a few hours ago, surrounded by his family, but also surrounded by the love and admiration that all of us have felt for him for many years,” Samuelson wrote.
Johnson served a combined 36 years in the state Legislature, U.S. House and U.S. Senate, a fact made more remarkable by his status as a Democrat in a Republican-leaning state. Since Johnson’s retirement in 2014, no Democrat has held a statewide office in South Dakota.
“It’s hard to imagine someone living a life more meaningful and impactful than Tim’s — and, in the end, impact and meaning are the best that any of us can hope to achieve,” Samuelson wrote on Facebook. “Tim succeeded in reaching those goals way beyond what I’m sure were his wildest dreams when he was a young man.”
Jon Schaff, a professor of government at Northern State University in Aberdeen, said Johnson showed strong political acumen by picking favorable Democratic election cycles to chase electoral opportunities. Johnson also worked hard to moderate his politics and to help his constituents with project funding and other requests.
“There was an enormous amount of goodwill toward Tim Johnson that allowed him to overcome the partisan makeup of the state,” Schaff said. “He was able to get people to vote for the person instead of the policy or party, and as a person he was extraordinarily well-liked. That’s a testament to his character.”
Steve Jarding, who worked for Johnson as a staffer and campaign manager, described Johnson as a humble and hardworking public servant — “a hard man not to respect” — whose humility sometimes caused him to be overlooked and underestimated.
“He was always kind of the unlikeliest candidate, except for the fact that he always won,” Jarding said. “You have to give him a lot of credit, and I never thought he got enough credit for his successes.”
– Steve Jarding, former staffer and campaign manager for Tim Johnson
Johnson was born Dec. 28, 1946, in Canton. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Dakota, he did post-graduate studies at Michigan State University and worked as a budget adviser to the Michigan state Senate. In 1975, he graduated from the law school at USD.
Johnson launched his historic political career in 1978 by winning a seat in the state House of Representatives. He served there from 1979 until 1982, then in the state Senate from 1983 to 1986 while serving a stint in 1985 as Clay County deputy state’s attorney.
In 1986, then-U.S. Rep. Tom Daschle, a Democrat, gave up his seat to mount a successful campaign for the Senate. Johnson ran for the House seat and won.
After being reelected four times to the House, Johnson unseated Republican Sen. Larry Pressler in a 1996 Senate race.
On Wednesday, Pressler said he and Johnson later became friends. Pressler described Johnson as “a quiet giant of South Dakota politics.”
“Tim Johnson was a great South Dakotan, and I debated him several times, and he was always fair and polite in debates,” Pressler said. “South Dakota has lost a great man.”
Johnson’s defeat of Pressler set up a challenge from then-U.S. Rep. John Thune, a Republican, in 2002. Johnson won that race by 524 votes — 0.15% of the votes cast.
In 2004, Thune went on to topple Daschle, who’d become a U.S. senator. Thune remains in the chamber, where he’s in the running for leader of the Senate Republicans. He issued a statement Wednesday saying he and his wife, Kimberley, “join all South Dakotans in mourning.”
“Known for his tenacity and work ethic, Tim was a steadfast leader who dedicated his life to serving the people of South Dakota with integrity and compassion,” Thune said. “He fought tirelessly for rural America and leaves a legacy that will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
While in the Senate, Johnson rose to the chairmanship of the Banking Committee. Additional highlights of his time in Congress included his work with other South Dakota politicians to remove Ellsworth Air Force Base from a 2005 base closure list; his sponsorship of numerous rural water bills, including legislation supporting major pipelines such as the Mni Wiconi and Lewis & Clark systems; his support for country-of-origin labeling on meat products; and his work to establish the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site near the Badlands.
Johnson split with Democrats at times. He voted for then-President George W. Bush’s tax cuts in 2001, and he was among the last Democratic U.S. senators to oppose same-sex marriage until he changed his position to support marriage equality in 2013.
Johnson was a proud user and defender of earmarks — money in legislation that members of Congress obtain for a project in their district. During a visit to Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City in 2014, his staff distributed a list of $200 million in earmarks he’d obtained for construction at the base in the prior 16 years.
“I’m proud of my earmarks,” he said at the time. “No project was unworthy.”
In 2006, a health problem dealt Johnson the kind of setback no political opponent ever had. He suffered bleeding in the brain from a congenital defect called a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, which resulted in stroke-like symptoms that affected his speech and mobility for the rest of his life.
After a lengthy recuperation and absence from the Senate, Johnson ran for reelection in 2008 and won easily. Jarding said Johnson’s efforts in that race, while struggling just to give a speech, were a “profile in courage.”
“It was a testament to his will power, his perseverance, to his dedication to serve the people of South Dakota,” Jarding said.
Finally, in 2014, facing a potential challenge from Republican former Gov. Mike Rounds, Johnson chose not to seek reelection and retired. Rounds won the Senate seat and still holds it.
Rounds said Wednesday that Johnson was a “class act,” a “fine gentleman” and a “wonderful family man.”
“Trying to work across the aisle, I think some people in South Dakota think it doesn’t work very well,” Rounds said. “But I can tell you with Tim that it did.”
Johnson is survived by his wife, Barbara, their three adult children — Brooks Johnson, former U.S. Attorney for South Dakota Brendan Johnson, and Kelsey Billion — and numerous grandchildren.
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has ordered flags be flown at half-staff statewide until the day of Johnson’s burial. His obituary, issued after Noem’s order, says the funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.
“I worked with Tim Johnson and appreciated that his heart was for the people of South Dakota. He was a true servant,” Noem said in a written statement. “On behalf of the State of South Dakota, our prayers go out to his entire family.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with additional information since its initial publication. South Dakota Searchlight’s John Hult contributed to this report.
A sampling of the tributes that flowed from around the state and nation Wednesday for former U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson:
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware
“Annie and I send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Tim’s family – to Barb, his wife; to his three children, Brooks, Brendan, and Kelsey; and to his many grandchildren. Tim served the people of South Dakota for nearly 30 years with integrity and humility. His bipartisanship and hard work on behalf of his state and our nation made a lasting difference.”
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota
“Senator Tim Johnson worked hard for South Dakota and America for decades. I’m saddened to hear of his passing and am praying for his family and loved ones.”
State Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls, who worked for Johnson for nearly two years in Washington, D.C., as a legislative correspondent
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Tim Johnson. He was a dedicated public servant who tirelessly represented South Dakota for nearly three decades in both state and federal government. His steadfast commitment to the people of our state and his unwavering integrity were the hallmarks of his career. Whether it was fighting for farmers, veterans, or supporting critical infrastructure projects, Tim Johnson’s leadership left a lasting impact on countless lives. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of South Dakotans to serve with the same humility and resolve. My heartfelt condolences go out to Barb, his family, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
South Dakota Democratic Party Chair Shane Merrill
“South Dakota and our country have lost one of the greatest statesmen of all time. His work to make agriculture more fair for farmers and ranchers is a legacy that will last for generations. He was also committed to uplifting our rural communities, helping our smaller towns to thrive. I thank Sen. Johnson for his decades of service to South Dakota and our country. I am sending my love and prayers to his family during this difficult time.”
South Dakota Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba, of Sioux Falls, and South Dakota House Minority Leader Oren Lesmeister, of Parade
“On behalf of the South Dakota Democratic House and Senate Caucuses, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Tim Johnson. Senator Johnson’s legacy will endure because of his decades of public service dedicated to improving the lives of all South Dakotans. He patiently listened to his constituents, authoritatively advocated for them, and worked across the aisle to create bipartisan solutions. He exemplified what a lawmaker could and should be. His passing is a great loss, not only to his family and friends, but also to the state of South Dakota and to our nation. He was truly a great man and will be deeply missed.”
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South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Follow South Dakota Searchlight on Facebook and X.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.
Seth is editor-in-chief of South Dakota Searchlight. He was previously a supervising senior producer for South Dakota Public Broadcasting and a newspaper journalist in Rapid City and Mitchell.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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South Dakota Searchlight provides free news and commentary on critical issues facing the state. We seek to serve the public interest with accuracy, fairness, insight and civility.
We’re part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. (See full republishing guidelines.)
© South Dakota Searchlight, 2024
