YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO: Bill Johnson, an Ohio Republican has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2024 after accepting an offer to become the new president at Youngstown State University.
The 69-year-old Johnson, who represents 11 Eastern Ohio counties in the sixth congressional district, was elected as the new president during a special meeting of the Youngstown State Board of Trustees on November 21.
After settling on a three-year deal that would pay Johnson $410,000 in his first year, the university's Board of Trustees voted 8-1 to grant him the position in spite of opposition from teachers, staff, alumni, and students.
Johnson will take office in March 2024 and will be required to leave Congress before then. He will take over for Jim Tressel, the former football coach at Ohio State University, who stepped down as YSU president in February.
Johnson, who is also an Air Force veteran was elected to Ohio’s 6th Congressional District in 2010. He earned a degree in computer science and cadet service in the Air Force ROTC from Troy University in Alabama in 1979.
He continued in the service and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1999. Johnson received a computer science master's degree while still serving in the Air Force.
He also operated his own consulting business after serving in information technology positions at various companies.
Bill Johnson announces he will not seek re-election
On Tuesday, Johnson took to his Twitter to announce that he will not seek re-election in 2024. “After much thought and prayerful deliberation, I have accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University and will not be seeking an 8th term in Congress,” he wrote.
“As I’ve stated previously, I wasn’t looking for another job, because I love the one I have serving the people of Eastern Ohio in the U.S. House. This was an extremely difficult decision,” he continued.
He also announced that he will continue “serving in the House for several more months, and you will see no let-up. My offices are open and my staff remains ready to serve you.”
“There is still much left on my agenda to do before I depart Congress, including doing all I can to help pass tax exemption legislation to benefit the people of East Palestine as well as a broader rail safety bill,” Johnson concluded.
Outrage over Bill Johnson's election as president
Two things have worried the campus about Johnson's appointment. First, a lot of people complained about the process's lack of openness, which, in contrast to YSU's past presidential searches, provided no chance for the campus to weigh in on the choice or for the public to engage with candidates.
Second, Johnson has adopted a variety of divisive political stances while serving as a congressman, according to Forbes.
A letter was sent over the weekend to the board of trustees at YSU by alumni who disagree with Johnson's conservative views.
The letter denounced Johnson's resistance to homosexual marriage and his inability to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.
"The Board's refusal to incorporate the greater YSU community in its decision-making flouts basic values of transparency, accountability, and democratic participation," the alumni wrote, according to UPI.
"The fact that Johnson's positions are highly contentious - and directly relevant to the diverse interests and identities of YSU's student body - increases the need for public vetting of his candidacy,” the letter continued.
They launched a Change.org petition Friday disagreeing with YSU's decision to offer Johnson the job. As of Tuesday, it had garnered more than 1,800 signatures.
Internet reacts to Bill Johnson’s election as YSU president
Johnson’s announcement has garnered immense social media attention, with users slamming YSU for electing him as the new president.
“Really bad decision by YSU,” one user slammed. “Extremely sad that YSU has hired this far-right election denier,” another user said.
One user asserted, “I’m sad to see this. You are massively underqualified for this position and your political beliefs are repugnant. This YSU grad is extremely disappointed with @youngstownstate.”
“Just leave now. At least that would be fewer of my tax dollars wasted,” one user asserted while another said, “The hardworking students and people at YSU and in eastern Ohio deserve so much better than you…”
“The State of Ohio’s gain is YSU’s loss. I have lost some respect for my old school,” another user said.
One more wrote, “You did an awful job in Congress and I'm sure you'll do worse at YSU. Everyone in this district deserves better.”
