Sen. Johnson withdrawing from Senate race
By Dan Gearino, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Saturday, September 08, 2007
DES MOINES -- Sen. David Johnson, an Ocheyedan Republican, said this morning that he is withdrawing from the race for Senate minority leader because of health problems, meaning there are only two candidates remaining for the job.
Republicans will elect a new leader a week from Friday. The current leader, Mary Lundby of Marion, is stepping down.
Johnson, 56, returned home this week after a 16-day hospital stay in Sioux Falls, S.D., for treatment of pancreatitis.
"I'm doing much better, but a full recovery is my priority right now, and that takes time and patience," Johnson said in a statement.
The remaining candidates are Paul McKinley of Chariton and Ron Wieck of Sioux City.
Last week, another candidate withdrew. Larry McKibben of Marshalltown said he would not have the time to lead the party because of increased demands at his law practice.
The next Republican leader will take the helm of a party outnumbered 30-20 by Democrats. The GOP has suffered major losses in each of the last two elections and faces the potential of even more losses next year because at least three Republican incumbents are retiring.
Johnson has served in the Senate since 2003. Before that, he served four years in the House. He is an assistant majority leader and the top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
His district covers Clay, Dickinson, O'Brien and Osceola counties, along with a small part of Sioux County.
Republicans will elect a new leader a week from Friday. The current leader, Mary Lundby of Marion, is stepping down.
Johnson, 56, returned home this week after a 16-day hospital stay in Sioux Falls, S.D., for treatment of pancreatitis.
"I'm doing much better, but a full recovery is my priority right now, and that takes time and patience," Johnson said in a statement.
The remaining candidates are Paul McKinley of Chariton and Ron Wieck of Sioux City.
Last week, another candidate withdrew. Larry McKibben of Marshalltown said he would not have the time to lead the party because of increased demands at his law practice.
The next Republican leader will take the helm of a party outnumbered 30-20 by Democrats. The GOP has suffered major losses in each of the last two elections and faces the potential of even more losses next year because at least three Republican incumbents are retiring.
Johnson has served in the Senate since 2003. Before that, he served four years in the House. He is an assistant majority leader and the top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
His district covers Clay, Dickinson, O'Brien and Osceola counties, along with a small part of Sioux County.
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DakotaCowboy wrote on Sep 8, 2007 10:58 AM: