He received his undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Washington, earning a master's degree in forestry in 1950.
In 1963, Johnson was selected to serve as chairman of the campaign committee for Dan Evans' gubernatorial race.
[4] Johnson was an outspoken pro-choice advocate and promoter of Native American issues.
Stepping down from chairmanship of the Republican party, Johnson formed a political consulting firm with his second wife, Ann Quantock, a Democratic lobbyist.
Among his firm's other clients were the Yakima Nation, and Democratic governor Dixy Lee Ray, whose 1976 and 1980 campaigns he managed.