La Cañada man seeks judgeship

La Cañada resident Bill Johnson is a candidate for Superior Court seat 125 on the June 3 election.

Johnson, an international corporate attorney, is known locally for his 78-acre ranch off Angeles Crest Highway in La Cañada, where he raises horses, cows and alpacas. He was a leader in the effort to resist the city’s changes in its animal-keeping ordinance.

Johnson and his wife Lois have five children. He has been president of the San Fernando Valley Symphony, head of a 4-H club and works with the Pasadena Chapter of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness.

The lawyer did not return several calls from the Valley Sun, but he told the League of Women Voters he was running at the urging of several fellow supporters of presidential candidate Ron Paul. He said, “About 50 fellow supporters urged me to run for office. I felt that Superior Court judge was the office I was most qualified for.” He said his best attribute in running for office is “I am fair and honest in all my dealings.”

Johnson listed as his top priorities if elected as “follow the constitution and promote fairness.” The candidate has in the past promoted more stringent immigration policies and supported the Pace Amendment to limit rights of illegal immigrants.

His opponent is county commissioner James Bianco. Johnson was rated as not qualified by the L.A. County Bar Association, one of several to receive the rating. Bianco was rated as well qualified.