Lee Johnson (Oregon judge)

Lee Johnson
9th Oregon Attorney General
In office May 20, 1969 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by	Robert Y. Thornton
Succeeded by	James A. Redden
Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals
In office 1979–1980
Preceded by	William S. Fort
Succeeded by	J. R. Campbell
Personal details
Born	September 8, 1930 Portland, Oregon
Political party	Republican

Lee Johnson (born September 8, 1930)^[1] is an Oregon attorney, Republican politician, and retired jurist. He served one term in the Oregon House of Representatives (1966–1968),^[2] before being elected twice as the state's Attorney General (May 20, 1969 – Jan. 3, 1977),^[3] and a partial term as Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals(1977–78),^[4] resigning to head Governor Vic Atiyeh's executive staff.^[2] He sat as an Oregon Circuit Court Judge for Multnomah County from 1983 until his retirement in 1995.^[2]

Johnson's 1968 election as Oregon Attorney General was challenged in the courts by his opponent, incumbent Robert Y. Thornton, who accused Johnson of violating the state's Corrupt Practices Act. The election results were overturned by a Marion County court, but the Oregon Supreme Court reversed the decision. Johnson's inauguration was delayed nearly six months pending the decision, while Thornton remained in office.^[5]

References

2. Landauer, Robert (December 24, 1995). "Lee Johnson's career leaves many monuments". The Oregonian. pp. F3.
3. "Oregon Department of Justice - Agency History". Oregon Blue Book (Online). Oregon Secretary of State. 1995. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
4. Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2006). "Index to Politicians: Johnson, K to N". Political Graveyard. Lawrence Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
5. "In memoriam: Robert Y. Thornton". Oregon State Bar Bulletin (Online). Oregon State Bar. January 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-08.