He graduated from high school in Sumner, Nebraska, and then went on to Lincoln Business College.

[3] Johnson was elected Nebraska Lieutenant Governor in 1942, winning in a Republican primary field of seven candidates.

The convention endorsed recent Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature Robert B. Crosby instead of Johnson, who was the incumbent.

[6] Some alleged that the reason Johnson was not endorsed was a perception among state legislators that he was not adept at presiding over the Nebraska Legislature or knowing the rules of procedure.

[7] Johnson's lack of endorsement by the pre-primary convention was credited with his subsequent loss in the Republican primaries.