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Mike Johanns




Michael Owen Johanns (born June 18 , 1950 in Osage, Iowa ) is an American Republican politician. A former Governor Of Nebraska , he serves as the 28th, and current, U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture .


EARLY HISTORY

Johanns was born in Iowa and grew up his family's Dairy Farm . After graduating from high school, Johanns went on to study at St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona. He earned a Law degree from Creighton University . After his graduation, Johanns began practing law in O'Neill and Lincoln, Nebraska .

Johanns served on the Lancaster County Board from 1983 - 1987 , and on the Lincoln City Council from 1989 - 1991 . He was elected mayor of Lincoln in 1991 and 1995 . He successfully ran for Governor of Nebraska in 1998 .
for U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture .]]
Johanns was elected Governor in 1998 by defeating Democratic opponent Bill Hoppner by a margin of 54% to 46%. He won reelection in 2002 by a landslide, defeating Democrat Stormy Dean by a margin of 69% to 27%.


CURRENT


On December 2 2004 , Johanns was nominated by President George W. Bush to replace outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman . As a result, he scrapped plans to run against Democratic Senator Ben Nelson in 2006 . Johanns was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 20 2005 , hours after Bush's second inauguration. He tendered his resignation as Governor of Nebraska on that day.

Johanns is married to Stephanie Johanns , a former Lancaster County Commissioner and Nebraska State Senator . They have two children.


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