| | Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. As Governor he cut [[tax]]es 14 times (annually $123 million), vetoed over 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined), cut the rate of [[government]] growth in half, reduced [[welfare]] spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half the state prisons, was a national advocate for school vouchers, while increased the budget for the state's [[education]] system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When leaving office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer government employees. <ref>http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php</ref> | | Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. As Governor he cut [[tax]]es 14 times (annually $123 million), vetoed over 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined), cut the rate of [[government]] growth in half, reduced [[welfare]] spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half the state prisons, was a national advocate for school vouchers, while increased the budget for the state's [[education]] system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When leaving office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer government employees. <ref>http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php</ref> |
| − | Johnson if [[pro-choice]] regarding [[abortion]], although supports overturning [[Roe v. Wade]], "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." He also opposes [[same-sex marriage]], but supports [[civil unions]], "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." | + | Johnson is [[pro-choice]] regarding [[abortion]], although supports overturning [[Roe v. Wade]], "It should be a states issue to begin with, the criteria for a Supreme Court justice would be that those justices rule on the original intent of the constitution. Given that, it's my understanding that justice would overturn Roe v. Wade." He also opposes [[same-sex marriage]], but supports [[civil unions]], "I think the government should be out of the marriage business and leave marriage to the churches." |
| | Johnson's positions are [[libertarian]] leaning and some of his views are outside the mainstream of the Republican Party, he opposed the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. <ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1</ref>In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed [[Ron Paul]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]]. Johnson's name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for President in 2012. | | Johnson's positions are [[libertarian]] leaning and some of his views are outside the mainstream of the Republican Party, he opposed the 2003 invasion of [[Iraq]] and supports reducing the defense budget by 44 to 90 percent from current levels. <ref>http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/meet-gary-johnson-ron-paul-2012_520775.html?nopager=1</ref>In 1999, Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in the United States to advocate legalization of marijuana. He endorsed [[Ron Paul]] during the [[2008 Presidential Election]]. Johnson's name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for President in 2012. |