James Ross Johnson (September 28, 1939 – August 16, 2017) was an American politician and lawyer. He was the first person in the California Legislature to become his party's leader in both the State Assembly and State Senate. From Irvine, California, Johnson went to California State University, Fullerton and Western State College of Law. He practiced law. Johnson served in the California State Assembly from 1978 to 1995 and then served in the California State Senate from 1995 to 2004. Johnson was involved with the Republican Party. From 2007 to 2010, Johnson served as the chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission. On August 16, 2017, Johnson died of cancer in Sacramento, California at the age of 77. References External links Join California Ross Johnson 1939 births 2017 deaths People from Irvine, California California State University, Fullerton alumni Western State University College of Law alumni California lawyers Republican Party California state senators Republican Party members of the California State Assembly 21st-century American politicians Deaths from cancer in California 20th-century American lawyers