Mississippi’s former state auditor, Pete Johnson, has passed away at the age of 76.
Johnson’s passing was first reported by The Clarksdale Press Register, noting that the Republican official “passed away shortly after President Donald Trump was sworn into office on Monday.” No cause of death was mentioned.
Johnson served as state auditor from 1988-1992, originally running as a Democrat. In 1989, he became a Republican and cited the moderate tendency of President George H.W. Bush as a reason to change parties. The move made Johnson the first statewide elected official to switch to the Republican party since the Reconstruction era.
Twice running unsuccessfully to represent Mississippi’s second congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, Johnson took the losses in 1982 and 1986 and decided to seek the office of state auditor. In May 1987, while serving as chair of the Mississippi Marketing Council, he announced his candidacy. Later that year, he secured the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican Danny Ware in the general election.
Working with incumbent auditor Ray Mabus, who was elected as governor that same year, Johnson aided in Mabus’ anti-corruption effort that was headed by the FBI. Known as “Operation Pretense,” the sting resulted in convictions of 71 people, including county supervisors, on charges such as bribery and extortion.
As for Johnson’s role, he pushed for various reforms such as consolidating county services and implementing a uniform bid process that is still used today. The reforms are credited with saving county taxpayers in Mississippi millions of dollars.
In 1991, Johnson looked to continue a family tradition at the Governor’s Mansion. Both his grandfather, Paul B. Johnson Sr., and uncle, Paul B. Johnson Jr., served as governor. However, his bid was unsuccessful as Kirk Fordice would go on to defeat Mabus and become the state’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction.
From 2002-2011, Johnson served as federal co-chair of the Delta Regional Authority. He studied at Murrah High School, the University of Mississippi, and the Jackson School of Law.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
