Gov. Otter Appoints Port of Lewiston Commissioner to Open Senate Seat

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has appointed Dan Johnson (R-Lewiston) to fill the state Senate seat vacated by Joe Stegner.  Stegner resigned last month to become a lobbyist for the University of Idaho.

Port of Lewiston

Dan Johnson (R-Lewiston)

Johnson is the solid waste manager for the City of Lewiston and a commissioner for the Port of Lewiston.  He is 51 years old.

The governor’s office says Johnson was the first choice of three nominees.  Here is the full press release:

(BOISE) – Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter today announced the appointment of Dan Johnson of Lewiston to complete the unexpired term of Joe Stegner representing Nez Perce County’s District 7 in the Idaho Senate.

Johnson, 51, is solid waste manager for the City of Lewiston and a commissioner for the Port of Lewiston. He was the first choice of three nominees whose names were submitted to the Governor by the District 7 Legislative Committee after Stegner resigned to become a lobbyist for the University of Idaho.

“Dan has big shoes to fill. Joe Stegner was a conscientious and collegial senator who represented the people of his district extremely well,” Governor Otter said. “However, I was presented with an excellent slate of potential successors, and I am confident Senator Johnson will do outstanding work for the people of Nez Perce County.”

Johnson, a father of four grown children, has a master’s degree in forest economics from Virginia Tech and participated in the Leadership Idaho Agriculture program. He expressed appreciation for his appointment and for the opportunity to play a role in public policy as a member of the Idaho Senate.

“It’s exciting for me to see democracy at work,” Johnson said. “I understand there are a lot of people who play a part, starting with the precinct folks on the legislative district committee who nominated me for this, and I look forward to being part of the process.”

He said he intends to seek election to the District 7 Senate seat in 2012.