Jerome Johnson is a New Orleans City Councilman, and the father of Robert Johnson. Jerome Johnson is the eldest son of the Johnson Machine, a political dynasty composed of Johnson family members and their allies that has been one of the most prominent forces in New Orleans’ politics for over a hundred years. He attended St. Odo's, Beaumonde Academy, then Tulane and Tulane University Law School--all of them with his friend Lucas Budd--before going into politics. Johnson has benefited from a long-running political alliance with Budd, beginning when Budd was Assistant District Attorney and continuing until both of them were on the powerful New Orleans city council. Following Lucas Budds' arrest on drug charges, Johnson has been the only prominent politician to defend his friend and ally in the press. Johnson is described by his son as tall and lean, with a face that's "far from handsome, but sturdy [and] well-lined, with downturned eyes that somehow seemed both stern and sad at once." In contrast to his son and brother, he wears cheap off-the-rack suits, possibly to avoid appearing elitist. The Johnsons live in a large Garden District home facing St. Charles Avenue, which is a frequent stop on walking tours. Robert has recently noted to his mother that the last few weeks have been exceptionally tiring on his father. It's been speculated that Jerome Johnson is gearing up for a run at New Orleans mayor, though nothing official has been announced. FURTHER READING For more about the Johnson family and the Johnson Machine, see chapter 17. |
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Jerome Johnson |