Gunnar B. Johnson (Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6, Minnesota, candidate 2024)

Gunnar B. Johnson

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 13, 2024

Education

High school

Lourdes High School

Bachelor's

University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1991

Law

American University College of Law, 1994

Personal

Birthplace

Rochester, Mich.

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Gunnar B. Johnson ran for election for judge of the Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Johnson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Gunnar B. Johnson provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on July 12, 2024:

• Birth place: Rochester, Michigan
• High school: Lourdes High School
• Bachelor's: University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1991
• J.D.: American University College of Law, 1994
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Attorney
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Gunnar for Judge.
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook
• LinkedIn

Elections

General election

General election for Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6

Gunnar B. Johnson and Shawn Reed ran in the general election for Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
		Gunnar B. Johnson (Nonpartisan)
		Shawn Reed (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6

Gunnar B. Johnson, Peter Raukar, Shawn Reed, John B. Schulte, and Gerald K. Wallace ran in the primary for Minnesota 6th District Court Position 6 on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate
		Gunnar B. Johnson (Nonpartisan)
		Peter Raukar (Nonpartisan)
		Shawn Reed (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	John B. Schulte (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Gerald K. Wallace (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Johnson in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Gunnar B. Johnson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Johnson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I attended the University of Minnesota-- Duluth in the late 1980s. I have been an attorney in the sixth judicial district for almost 30 years. I have practiced in Duluth as the City Attorney and in private practice. I spend seven years practicing on the Iron Range with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am seeking this position because I value public service. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve the people of the sixth judicial district as a judge.
• I will listen to those that appear before me to understand their particular situation and story. Listening and gathering the facts is time consuming work. I am a hard worker and will take the time to hear those that have a matter before me.
• I will apply the law to the facts at hand. I don't have a particular agenda that I am trying to advance. I will apply the facts to the law and make the best decision I can based on my three decades of legal experience and education in the law.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The court system is changing. Zoom hearings and electronic filing are now part of the process. I look to be a productive piece of the sixth judicial district team.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to lots of people. I try to copy qualities of others that I admire and not do the things that I don't respect.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I find the principles of servant leadership to be instructive. Servant leadership is a leadership style that prioritizes the growth, well-being, and empowerment of others. It aims to foster an inclusive environment to allow others to thrive. These are goals that I share.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A judge is different than a legislative representative. I would say education, demenor, and experience are critical characteristics for a judge.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honest, straightforward, and hard-working.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Sound judgment, hard work, and listening are the core responsibilities of this position.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of hard work and public service.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember when Nixon resigned. I was 4 or 5.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I raked sand traps at the golf course. Two years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Where the Red Fern Grows.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Not really.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Dolly Parton's Jolene.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Everyone has struggles in life. Understanding those struggles is critical to being an effective judge.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

A judge is a position of many powers and responsibilities. I am honored to have those powers and take the responsibilites seriously.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

I try to understand the position of both sides and follow the law.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

Judge Munger, Judge Sweetland, Judge Oswald, Judge Neo, Judge Hanke.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes, I do.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I would like to finish my legal career in a position of public service. I think I have something to offer the citizens of the sixth judicial district.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that my experience as the Duluth City Attorney and as an Assistant Minnesota Attorney General will be beneficial in performing my duties as a judge.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

Making sure matters are handled in a fair and timely manner.

What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?

I am proud of our court system. It is fair, honest, and works.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

Not really.

Tell us your favorite joke.

It will make you groan.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I'm proud to have lots of support from family, friends, from my time at the City of Duluth, the City of Hermantown, and the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I will follow all the rules on financial transparency and accountability. The judicial code covers these issues.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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