Joseph Forney Johnston (March 23, 1843 – August 8, 1913) was an American Democratic politician and businessman who was the 30th governor of Alabama from 1896 to 1900.

[2] Johnston first entered the political arena in 1890, when he ran for Alabama governor but lost to Thomas G. Jones.

[2] Johnston's achievements during his tenure as governor include tax reform, creation of the Alabama Department of Insurance, and the establishment of a state mine inspector.

Johnston decided not to seek another term as governor in 1900 and challenged John Tyler Morgan in that year's Senate election.

The revelation of several scandals involving Sloss Iron & Steel and misconduct in the prison system hurt Johnston, and he would ultimately lose the election.