‘I ran because I wanted to make a difference?

Groveland Twp.- Ruth Johnson has been busy.
The 51-year-old, longtime township resident and Oakland County Clerk says the experience of having been selected to run as the GOP lieutenant governor candidate is one she is immensely proud of. Yet, she almost didn’t accept the invitation out of concern for the impact it would have on her family.
Johnson was 44 when she had her only child, Emily. Already steeped in a career in politics, Johnson had to learn to adjust to juggling life as a representative, wife and now, mother.
‘I had to balance my life and it’s a jolt,? said Johnson.
‘But it’s the most remarkable and rewarding thing in my life.?
Achieving that balance had been difficult enough as Oakland County Clerk, so when the invitation came to run on the GOP ticket with Dick DeVos, Johnson said her initial decision was she would likely opt out.
‘When (DeVos) first asked me (to run with him) I said ,’This is the highest honor of my professional life’but I have a 7-year-old,? said Johnson.
‘He said ‘Family first,?? said Johnson. It was that response, which Johnson felt demonstrated a commitment to family she herself had, that made her decide to run with him.
‘I decided it was an honor and a privilege,? said Johnson, and the whirlwind of campaigning began.
‘I felt very excited and determined,? said Johnson. ‘I tried to stay single focused to the campaign. My other focus was how much time I could spend with Emmy and my husband and work.?
Though the campaign was time consuming, Johnson found it rewarding.
‘I got to meet so many nice people, that’s probably the best thing that came out of it,? said Johnson.
‘I kept telling myself ‘just work as hard as you can right up to the election.??
But on the day of the election itself, Johnson’s duty as a clerk took precedence.
‘That was my job,? said Johnson.
When the polls closed and the votes were tallied, DeVos and Johnson were part of a national trend of Republican candidates losing to Democrats.
‘I was disappointed,? said Johnson. ‘My biggest concern was where the state is and where it is going. My disappointment was for the families in Michigan. I felt like I worked as hard as I could,? added Johnson.
And despite losing the election, Johnson says she in no way lost faith in the democratic process.
‘This is a democracy, and it’s a wonderful thing people get their voices heard. It was just a wonderful experience to be able to participate in our process of democracy. It was a privilege. Whatever the majority of the people want, that’s what it should be.?
‘Our system is a wonderful thing. You can be anything if you work hard and sacrifice. You’re really responsible for yourself. That’s very precious.?
Johnson said she loves her job as county clerk, and is more than happy to stay in that position.
Johnson didn’t plan on a career in politics. She had initially intended to leave her mark on humanity through teaching.
However, news of a chemical plant moving into the area prompted Johnson, to become a citizen activist.
‘It was a huge company,? said Johnson. ‘We fought it for four years.?
Stablex Corporation, an England-based corporation, targeted the area in 1980 for a chemical plant dedicated to neutralizing toxic industrial waste into inert matter at the junction of Grange Hall Road and I-75.
In the end, Stablex was kept out of the community, and Johnson felt the rush of political accomplishment.
Though she strayed from her original plan of being a teacher, Johnson said she never lost the drive that motivated that ambition’she still wants to leave a mark.
‘I never ran for (an office) because I wanted to be something,? said Johnson. ? I ran because I wanted to make a difference.?