Timothy V. Johnson (born July 23, 1946) is an American politician who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the 15th District of Illinois (map). He was born in Urbana, Illinois, was educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and the University of Illinois, and was a lawyer, a realtor, a member of the Urbana City Council and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1976 to 2000 before entering the House. The October 2000 issue of Illinois Issues reported that in 1980, Johnson lodged a paper clip into his voting button so that he could vote along party lines while out of the chamber. In the House, however, Johnson has displayed a somewhat independent streak. His voting record is the most moderate among Illinois Republicans outside of the Chicago area. The American Conservative Union gave him its second-lowest rating among Illinois Republicans, behind only Mark Steven Kirk of the 10th District. Johnson is against stem cell research.
In the 2000 campaign, Johnson pledged not to serve more than three terms. However, he is running for re-election in 2006, for his fourth term. Johnson "underestimated the value of seniority," spokesman Phil Bloomer says of his boss' decision to run for a fourth term. "As a rookie going in, (he) didn't understand what he could accomplish for his district by being there a longer period."
In the 2006 election, Johnson will face David Gill, M.D., whom he defeated in 2004, 61
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