Albert Johnson (New Mexico politician)

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Albert Johnson

|image =

|office = Mayor of Las Cruces, New Mexico

|term_start = March 15, 1976

|term_end = 1980

|predecessor =

|successor =

|birth_name = Albert Norris Johnson

|birth_date = 1934/1935

|birth_place = Lebanon, Tennessee, U.S.

|death_date = December 5, 1984

|death_place =

|party = Democratic

|spouse = Elmira

|children = 3

|education = Tennessee State University

|signature =

}}

Albert Norris Johnson (1934 or 1935{{spnd}}December 5, 1984) was an American politician who served as the mayor of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Johnson also received multiple gubernatorial appointments to state commissions. He was the first black person to serve as a mayor in New Mexico.{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1976 |title=First black mayor |page=53 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56795016/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807194541/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56795016/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}

Early life and education

Albert Norris Johnson was born in 1934 or 1935 in Lebanon, Tennessee, to Allen P. Johnson and Louise Rucks. He graduated from Pearl High School.{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1984 |title=Services Today In New Mexico |page=18 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56905737/the-tennessean/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808000356/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56905737/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }} In 1958, he graduated from Tennessee State University with a civil engineering degree.

Career

After graduating from college, Johnson took a job at White Sands Missile Range and later served as the environmental improvement coordinator for the missile range.{{Cite news |date=December 7, 1984 |title=Cruces Ex-Mayor Albert Johnson Dies of Leukemia |page=18 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56890612/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807200300/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56890612/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}

Johnson entered politics when he was selected to serve as president of the Las Cruces, New Mexico NAACP chapter. During the 1960s he served as chairman of the Doña Ana County NAACP and as president of the New Mexico NAACP, which he served as until his election to the Las Cruces city commission.{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1967 |title=Chairman of the Doña Ana County NAACP |page=2 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56905041/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807235213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56905041/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}

=Las Cruces politics=

On February 5, 1968, Johnson filed to run for a seat on the Las Cruces, New Mexico city commission from the 4th district.{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1968 |title=A. N. Johnson Is City Seat Candidate |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56890050/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807194909/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56890050/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }} He defeated Jerry K. Moore in the election and was the first black person elected to the Las Cruces city commission.{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1968 |title=Voters Okay Bond Issue; Wanek Wins |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56891425/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807200850/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56891425/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=March 8, 1968 |title=Cruces Commissioner To Drop From NAACP |page=3 |work=Clovis News-Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56891626/clovis-news-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807201112/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56891626/clovis-news-journal/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }} On March 18, 1968, Johnson was sworn into the city commission from the 4th district.{{Cite news |date=March 15, 1968 |title=Long Agenda Faces New City Board |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56891829/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807201457/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56891829/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}

In 1969, Governor David Cargo appointed Johnson to serve as a member of the Fair Employment Practices Commission to fill the unexpired term of J. H. Horton which lasted until April 29, 1971.{{Cite news |date=February 10, 1969 |title=Governor Cargo Names Johnson To FEPC |page=1 |work=Clovis News-Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56894140/clovis-news-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807204748/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56894140/clovis-news-journal/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }} Cargo also appointed Johnson to the Commission on Human Rights, which was created to replace the Fair Employment Practices Commission, and he was selected to serve as the chairman of the commission.{{Cite news |date=April 29, 1969 |title=Johnson Named to Human Rights Commission |page=1 |work=Alamogordo Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56894276/alamogordo-daily-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807205018/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56894276/alamogordo-daily-news/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=May 28, 1969 |title=New commission starts in June |page=1 |work=Las Vegas Optic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56894495/las-vegas-optic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807205255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56894495/las-vegas-optic/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }} In 1970, Johnson's appointment to the Commission on Human Rights was approved by the New Mexico Senate.{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1970 |title=Commission confirmed |page=1 |work=The Santa Fe New Mexican |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56906226/the-santa-fe-new-mexican/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808001048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56906226/the-santa-fe-new-mexican/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }}

On February 1, 1972, Johnson filed to run for reelection to the Las Cruces city commission and defeated five other candidates in the election.{{Cite news |date=February 1, 1972 |title=Candidates Start Filing For Three City Posts |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56908054/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808004308/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56908054/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=March 8, 1972 |title=1972 elections |page=1 |work=Silver City Daily Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56908285/silver-city-daily-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808195755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56908285/silver-city-daily-press/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }} On February 5, 1973, he was reappointed to the Human Rights Commission by Governor Bruce King to a term that would end in December 1976.{{Cite news |date=February 6, 1973 |title=Albert Norris Johnson |page=10 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56951296/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808200733/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56951296/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }}

In 1975, a recall attempt was brought against the five members of the Las Cruces city commission, but only one member, M. C. Thomson, was successfully recalled while the four other members, including Johnson, remained in office.{{Cite news |date=May 14, 1975 |title=Voters call back city commissioner |page=53 |work=The Santa Fe New Mexican |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56952177/the-santa-fe-new-mexican/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808202058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56952177/the-santa-fe-new-mexican/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }}

On April 29, 1975, Johnson was selected to serve as chairman of the South Rio Grande Council of Governments.{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1975 |title=Johnson elected COG Chairman |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56952087/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200808201729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56952087/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 8, 2020 }} Johnson was also selected to serve as chairman of the Region V Commission of the Governor's Council on Criminal Justice Planning by Governor Apodaca.{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1975 |title=Quick Look At the News State And Locally |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59590467/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919191702/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59590467/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1976 |title=Governor appoints two Demingites |page=9 |work=Deming Headlight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59590316/the-deming-headlight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919192121/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59590316/the-deming-headlight/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }}

Johnson won reelection to the Las Cruces city commission in March 1976, against Ben Romero and Robert L. Stryker,{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1976 |title=1976 election results |page=2 |work=Carlsbad Current-Argus |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59591280/carlsbad-current-argus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919192642/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59591280/carlsbad-current-argus/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }} and on March 15, 1976, the city commission voted three to two, after five minutes of voting, to select Johnson to serve as mayor. T. J. Graham was selected to serve as mayor pro tem.{{Cite news |date=March 16, 1976 |title=Commission Elects Johnson Mayor |page=1 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59591554/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919193208/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59591554/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }} In December 1976, he was reappointed by Governor Jerry Apodaca to the Human Rights commission to a term ending in December 1980.{{Cite news |date=December 29, 1976 |title=Reappointments made |page=1 |work=Clovis News-Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59593126/clovis-news-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919195313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59593126/clovis-news-journal/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }}

In 1978, Johnson was initially reelected as mayor by a vote of two to zero, with him claiming that a third vote from him was uncounted, but a plurality of three votes was required so another vote was held, which came out three to two.{{Cite news |date=March 23, 1978 |title=Commission Meeting Special |page=61 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59596268/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919203951/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59596268/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }}{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1978 |title=1978 mayoral selection |page=59 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59596254/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919204024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59596254/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }} Johnson chose to not seek reelection in 1980.{{Cite news |date=March 5, 1980 |title=T.J. Graham Loses Race In Las Cruces |page=30 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59617820/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200920021019/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59617820/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 20, 2020 }}

During the 1976 presidential election, Johnson presented the key to the city of Las Cruces to presidential candidate Mo Udall.{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1976 |title=Udall Came 'Back Home' |page=2 |work=Las Cruces Sun-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59592200/las-cruces-sun-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200919194110/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59592200/las-cruces-sun-news/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }}

Personal life

Johnson and his wife, Elmira, had three children. One of his children, Albert Johnson Jr., served as a delegate for Jesse Jackson during the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries.{{Cite news|date=February 19, 1967|title=Jackson Delegates To Push Ideas|page=3|work=Albuquerque Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59618130/albuquerque-journal/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200920021445/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59618130/albuquerque-journal/|archive-date=September 20, 2020|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 20, 2020}}

On December 5, 1984, Johnson died from leukemia at age 49. In 1989, Johnson was inducted into the Democratic Party of New Mexico's Hall of Fame alongside former Representative Harold L. Runnels.{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1989 |title=Democratic Hall of Fame |page=4 |work=The Deming Headlight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56896191/the-deming-headlight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807212031/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56896191/the-deming-headlight/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }} In 2004, he was inducted into the New Mexico Hall of Fame.{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2004 |title=Seven New Mexicans Join Hall of Fame |page=14 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56896280/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807212033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56896280/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 }}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change|title = 1975 Las Cruces, New Mexico recall election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Against recall of Johnson

|votes = 4,199

|percentage = 59.80%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = For recall of Johnson

|votes = 2,823

|percentage = 40.20%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 7,022

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title = 1976 Las Cruces, New Mexico mayoral election{{efn|Mayor of Las Cruces is elected amongst the members of the City Council.}}{{Cite news |date=March 17, 1976 |title=Johnson Named Cruces Mayor |page=20 |work=Albuquerque Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59591966/albuquerque-journal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200920021746/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59591966/albuquerque-journal/ |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 19, 2020 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Albert Johnson

|votes = 3

|percentage = 60%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Carlos Blanco

|votes = 2

|percentage = 40%

}}