Grantland Johnson
Encyclopedia
Grantland L. Johnson is a Sacramento-area politician
and former Secretary of California
's Health and Human Services Agency, the first African-American to hold the position.
, and federal
levels. Johnson began his career in politics in 1983, when he was elected to the Sacramento City Council
. As a councilmember, he helped to establish Sacramento's Economic Development Department and Neighborhood Services Department.
When Ted Sheedy chose not to seek reelection to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
in 1986, Johnson ran for the District 1 seat, defeating Roger Dickinson
in a runoff election.
Johnson was reelected in 1990.
Shortly after Bill Clinton
was elected President of the United States
in 1992, Johnson began to pursue a position in the President's administration.
In 1993, President Clinton announced that Johnson had been appointed to the position of Regional Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
by Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala
.
After serving more than six years in the Clinton Administration, Johnson was selected by California Governor Gray Davis
in 1999 to become the state's Secretary of Health and Human Services, the largest state agency in the United States.
Johnson has announced plans for a political comeback in 2010 as he is running for his old seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors that is being vacated after 4 terms by Roger Dickinson
who is running for the State Assembly.
, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Government in 1974. He has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Sacramento State and Golden Gate University
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and former Secretary of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Health and Human Services Agency, the first African-American to hold the position.
Political career
Grantland Johnson is one of a limited number of United States politicians who have served in offices on the city, county, stateState government
A state government is the government of a subnational entity in a federal form of government, which shares political power with the federal or national government. A state government may have some level of political autonomy, or be subject to the direct control of the federal government...
, and federal
Federal government
The federal government is the common government of a federation. The structure of federal governments varies from institution to institution. Based on a broad definition of a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and...
levels. Johnson began his career in politics in 1983, when he was elected to the Sacramento City Council
Sacramento City Council
The Sacramento City Council is the governing body of the city of Sacramento, California. The council holds regular meetings at Sacramento City Hall on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm, with exceptions for holidays and other special cases....
. As a councilmember, he helped to establish Sacramento's Economic Development Department and Neighborhood Services Department.
When Ted Sheedy chose not to seek reelection to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is the five member governing board of Sacramento County, California.Like all other counties in California, with the exception of San Francisco County, Sacramento is split into five districts and each district elects a supervisor every four years.-Current...
in 1986, Johnson ran for the District 1 seat, defeating Roger Dickinson
Roger Dickinson
Roger Dickinson is a Democratic member of the California State Assembly, serving the 9th district since December 6, 2010. Before that he was a Sacramento County supervisor...
in a runoff election.
Johnson was reelected in 1990.
Shortly after Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
was elected President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
in 1992, Johnson began to pursue a position in the President's administration.
In 1993, President Clinton announced that Johnson had been appointed to the position of Regional Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
by Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala
Donna Shalala
Donna Edna Shalala served for eight years as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton and has been president of the University of Miami, a private university in Coral Gables, Florida, since 2001. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest...
.
After serving more than six years in the Clinton Administration, Johnson was selected by California Governor Gray Davis
Gray Davis
Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who served as California's 37th Governor from 1999 until being recalled in 2003...
in 1999 to become the state's Secretary of Health and Human Services, the largest state agency in the United States.
Johnson has announced plans for a political comeback in 2010 as he is running for his old seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors that is being vacated after 4 terms by Roger Dickinson
Roger Dickinson
Roger Dickinson is a Democratic member of the California State Assembly, serving the 9th district since December 6, 2010. Before that he was a Sacramento County supervisor...
who is running for the State Assembly.
Education
Johnson attended California State University, SacramentoCalifornia State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Government in 1974. He has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Sacramento State and Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in the South of Market district, immediately south of the Financial District of downtown San Francisco, California...
.