What to know about Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's voting record, his net worth, election wins and more
Ron Johnson is the senior U.S. senator from Wisconsin. The Oshkosh Republican won a third six-year term to the U.S. Senate after defeating Democratic challenger Mandela Barnes in the 2022 midterm election on Nov. 8.
Here's more to know about Johnson.
What is Ron Johnson's political party?
Johnson is a member of the Republican Party. His successful Senate bid in 2010 was his first run for elected office.
When was Ron Johnson elected to the U.S. Senate and who did he beat each time?
Johnson was first elected in 2010, defeating Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold. He won a rematch against Feingold in 2016. He then defeated Barnes by 1 percentage point or about 27,000 votes. He had previously pledged to serve only two terms.
Johnson has expressed frustrations with politics in Washington during his election campaigns.
"So much of politics today is just so beside the point. We're not addressing the key issues," he said. "I'm one of those guys, or gals, who is going here because we have enormous problems. And I want to fix them. And I'm willing to take the political heat from any side."
What committees does Ron Johnson serve on?
Johnson is serving on four committees: the Committee on the Budget, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which he chaired for six years.
Where did he grow up?
Johnson was born in Mankato, Minnesota, as one of four children to Jean, a film processor, and Dale, a corporate and church treasurer. His full name is Ronald Harold Johnson.
He went to Edina High School in the Minneapolis area.
How old is Ron Johnson?
Johnson is 67 years old. He was born in 1955.
Where did he go to college?
Johnson graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1977 with a degree in business and accounting.
Where does Ron Johnson live?
He and his family live in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Johnson is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Who are Ron Johnson's family, wife and children?
Johnson married his wife, Jane, in 1977. They have three children — Carey, Jenna and Ben — and four grandchildren. All three of Johnson's children attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Johnson helped found Pacur, an Oshkosh-based plastics company, with his wife's family, the Curlers. He worked at Pacur as a machine operator and accountant before being CEO.
What is Ron Johnson's net worth?
According to his Senate filing, Johnson and his wife listed assets worth between $16.55 million and $78.3 million at the end of 2021, and about the same as the previous year. Johnson wasn't required to list his $174,000 Senate salary.
What is Ron Johnson's recent voting record?
Johnson votes with President Joe Biden's position around 45% of the time, including the approval of many of his cabinet nominees, according to FiveThirtyEight. He is one of former President Donald Trump's most vocal allies in Congress.
Johnson twice voted against convicting Trump after the former president was impeached by the House of Representatives.
Johnson voted against creating a commission to study the Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021.
Johnson voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Johnson voted against the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Johnson voted against the bipartisan gun safety bill.
During his reelection campaign, Johnson has touted his support for the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the "right-to-try" bill, which he sponsored.
Johnson has come out in support of exceptions to abortion restrictions in the cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother. He also indicated support for contraceptives and said he wouldn't oppose legislation codifying same-sex marriage into federal law.
More:Where Mandela Barnes, Ron Johnson stand on Social Security, abortion, inflation, crime
How popular is Ron Johnson and what are his approval ratings?
Johnson's approval ratings have decreased in the last few years, according to polling by the Marquette Law School. In a June 2022 poll, 37% of voters viewed the senator favorably and 46% viewed him unfavorably, giving him a -9 net approval rating.
In 2010, Johnson won his seat with 51.9% over Russ Feingold's 47%
In 2016, he won with 50.2% of the vote over Feingold's 46.8%.
In 2022, he won with 50.5% of the vote over Barnes' 49.5%.
What are some controversial moments from his tenure?
Johnson falsely claimed that there was "no violence" on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
On June 21, 2022, it was revealed that Johnson had wanted to hand-deliver votes from a slate of fake Republican electors to then-Vice President Mike Pence. The evidence, a set of text messages between aides, was presented as part of a wider effort to overturn results of the 2020 election.
Johnson has raised concerns about COVID vaccines and promoted the use of ivermectin and other unapproved therapies for early treatment of COVID-19. He has also provided a platform for doctors who have been critical of the nation's COVID response. In January, one panel lasted more than five hours.
Johnson was criticized in February for not pressuring a manufacturing company, Oshkosh Corp, to place jobs in his hometown.
"It's not like we don't have enough jobs here in Wisconsin. The biggest problem we have in Wisconsin right now is employers not being able to find enough workers," Johnson said about Oshkosh Corp.'s plans to locate the jobs in South Carolina.
He faced accusations of racism after saying the supporters of Trump who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 didn't concern him but that he might have been concerned had they been supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Federal records showed that Johnson used taxpayer dollars to pay for flights for 19 trips between a Florida family vacation home and Washington, D.C. Democrats criticized the spending as wasteful while allies defended the flights as legitimate expenses.
He also has been accused of promoting "great replacement theory," the idea circulated by white supremacists that white Americans are being systematically "replaced" by immigrants and minorities. Johnson has denied these claims. The Anti-Defamation League found that Johnson's comments have promoted a "subtle" version of the theory.
How do I contact Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson?
Johnson's office maintains a contact form on his website. He has physical office locations in Milwaukee, Madison, Oshkosh and Washington, D.C. Constituents can request a meeting or sign up for Johnson's newsletter. Whistleblowers can email Johnson's office at whistleblower@ronjohnson.senate.gov.