Johnson Remembered As Fighter For Region

Todays News

Pictured: Then-State Rep. Bob Johnson, R-Sarasota, on the Florida House floor in 1982 during a debate about a Buy American bill.

Bob Johnson, who represented Sarasota in the Florida Legislature over portions of three decades, died Monday night at the age of 80. The long-time public servant was known for fighting to get Southwest Florida needed infrastructure during the ‘70s and ‘80s, and continued to be involved in local politics even in recent years.

Johnson served in Tallahassee in both chambers of the Legislature. He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives during two stints, first from 1970-76 and again from 1982-84, then served in the Florida Senate from 1984 through 1992. The Republican during that time earned a reputation for pressing hard for his district at a time when major metropolitan areas—and Democrats—dominated state politics. “He was a guy that a lot of people in Tallahassee didn’t like because he always delivered pork to Sarasota,” said Kerry Kirschner, who served on the City Commission much of the same time Johnson was serving in Tallahassee.  

Kirschner said Johnson was directly responsible for the extension of Interstate-75 south of Tampa happening when it did as opposed to 10 or 15 years later. “He was excellent at getting us money at a time when Southwest Florida was really treated as a stepchild to the rest of the state, particularly Miami and Orlando.”

Even after Johnson’s time in office drew to an inauspicious close, when Democrat Jim Boczar defeated him by 14,000-plus votes in 1992, he remained actively involved in local politics. In recent years, he was known for regular lunchtime political discussions with other historic Sarasota leaders such as former City Commissioner Gil Waters. “he was a wonderful person,” recalls Waters’ wife Elisabeth Waters. “He did a lot for New College and for Sarasota. He was a very good person. Gil really loved him and thought the world of him.”

And he remained active in the private sector up until his death. A founding partner for law firm Johnson, Browning and Clayton, he specialized in estate planning, business and real estate law. Law partner Robert Browning said Johnson was working as late as Monday, the day he passed. “He was a great lawyer,” Browning said. “He would work hard to solve a client’s problems. He could pick up a a phone and get things done.”

Pictured: Then-State Rep. Bob Johnson, R-Sarasota, on the Florida House floor in 1982 during a debate about a Buy American bill.

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