Charles K. Johnson

      Charles K. Johnson is a Portland writer, fundraiser, and activist. A native Oregonian, he has been active in environmental politics since childhood. Johnson took part in civil disobedience actions, organized successful ballot initiatives, lobbied, and served as a legislative staff member in four legislative sessions during the 1970s and 80s. 

      After a ten-year excursion into national politics with Physicians for Social Responsibility and as Executive Director of Nuclear Free America, Johnson became a fundraising professional, first for Western Oregon University, then Portland State University. At WOU, Johnson assisted in the successful capital campaign for construction of their Library, including the Robert W. Straub Archives. 

     Standing at the Water’s Edge: Bob Straub’s Battle for the Soul of Oregon is Johnson’s first book, and is, for him, a very personal story. Chuck’s father, Ken Johnson, was Straub’s chief aide when he was State Treasurer and served in both Governor Tom McCall and Governor Straub’s administrations. This was during a time of great political creativity in Oregon, as Straub and McCall’s friendly political rivalry culminated in a series of landmark environmental protection laws for which the state has become known.

      About the book, former Governor Barbara Roberts had this to say: “Standing at the Water’s Edge is an emotionally deep study of one of Oregon’s colorful political characters, Bob Straub, whose accomplishments and failures Johnson captures beautifully. It is a warm, witty biography that doesn’t take short cuts with the truth – an important book about an exciting period in Oregon’s history, and a fascinating read.”