Patrick Johnston (born September 3, 1946 in San Francisco, California) is a former Democratic state legislator in California. He served in the State Assembly from 1981 until 1991 and in the State Senate from 1991 until 2000, primarily representing San Joaquin County.
Johnston's election to the Assembly occurred after his Republican opponent was declared elected and sworn into office on December 1, 1980, winning by a margin of just 18 votes. Requesting a re-count, Johnston was declared the winner; with the Republicans taking the matter to court, where the case was dismissed. Johnston was sworn into office on January 1, 1981.
Following the 1991 resignation of John Garamendi to become California's first elected Insurance Commissioner, Johnston successfully sought election to the State Senate, defeating Garamendi's wife, Patti Garamendi, in the special election.
Since leaving political office, he has been a healthcare and education consultant. In 2004, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Johnston to the California Bay-Delta Authority. In 2009, Johnston was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the California Association of Health Plans. Johnston's background is in government and politics; he holds a master's degree in political representation from California State University, Sacramento; and was the first legislator in residence at the University of California, Berkeley Institute of Government.
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