Tim Johnson learned early the value of a good education and the necessity of hard work. A fourth-generation South Dakotan, he was born in Canton to Van and Ruth Johnson. His great-grandfather was a homesteader in Centerville, South Dakota and instilled in Tim the importance of a hard day's work and an understanding of the state's farming and ranching community.
Tim graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Dakota (USD). He went on to earn both a master's degree in Public Administration and a law degree from the University of South Dakota.
In 1975, Tim began a private law practice in Vermillion. Three years later in 1978, Tim was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, and was later re-elected in 1980.
Following four years of service in the state House, Tim ran for the state Senate and was elected in 1982 and again in 1984. During his years in the South Dakota Legislature, Tim earned a reputation as a hardworking, effective author of sound fiscal and social policy.
After eight years in the state legislature, Tim decided to take his commitment to hard work and South Dakota values with him to Washington. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986 with nearly 60 percent of the vote.
Tim served as South Dakota's congressman for five terms before being elected to the Senate on November 5, 1996. Since that time, Tim has been re-elected twice, in 2002 and again in 2008.
Tim is Chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and serves on several other important committees, including the powerful Appropriations Committee; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Indian Affairs Committee. As South Dakota's senior Senator, he has worked to improve the lives of South Dakotans while establishing a strong record in the Senate, and he has been recognized by numerous organizations for his common sense approach and hard work.
Tim is married to Barb (Brooks) Johnson, and they have three children: Brooks, Brendan and Kelsey. They are grandparents to six: Arijus, Trualem, Peneal, Sutton, Cooper and Aureja.