Andrew Johnson (Minnesota politician)

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Andrew Johnson (born 1983 or 1984) is an American politician and systems engineer from Minneapolis. He represented the city’s 12th Ward on the Minneapolis City Council from January 6, 2014, to November 21, 2023. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he was the youngest council member when he started, and he lives in the Longfellow neighborhood. He is married to Sara Vine, since 2016.

Early life and education
Johnson grew up with a single mother in Minnesota, mowing lawns and bagging groceries to help his family. He earned an associate degree from Normandale Community College and studied political science at the University of Minnesota. He later worked as a systems engineer at Target.

Before the city council
Johnson led the Longfellow Community Council (LCC) before running for city council, serving as its president.

City council election and term
In 2013, he sought the DFL endorsement for Ward 12. The incumbent, Sandy Colvin Roy, dropped out of the race, and Johnson won the ward in November 2013 with 4,553 votes. He was sworn in on January 6, 2014, becoming the youngest council member.

Work on the council
Johnson focused on making city rules clearer and less burdensome. He helped lower licensing fees for second-hand shops, allowed murals on buildings, and removed a ban on hats in movie theaters. He wrote rules clarifying pet and wildlife ownership, making urban chicken coops easier, allowing reptiles, and supporting a no-kill policy for the animal control agency. He also led cost-saving efforts, including ending the city’s IT contract with Unisys, which saved about $3 million annually, and he promoted gender-neutral single-use bathrooms in city buildings.

Later life and retirement
Johnson announced he would not seek re-election in 2023. He and his wife, Sara Vine, remain residents of the Minneapolis area.