Travis Johnson, Influential El Paso Leader, Dies at 89

Travis Johnson, a prominent figure in Texas politics and business, died on November 25, 2023, in Los Angeles at the age of 89. Johnson, who served as the El Paso County judge from 1965 until the mid-1990s, significantly shaped the political landscape in Texas and was a respected member of the board for Southwest Airlines.

Born in 1934, Johnson was appointed the youngest El Paso County judge at just 29 years old. His leadership extended beyond the courtroom, as he became a key player in Democratic politics in Texas for over four decades. He was a close associate of Lloyd Bentsen, the last Democrat from Texas to serve in the U.S. Senate. Bentsen, who was also a vice-presidential nominee in 1988 and later served as Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton, relied on Johnson’s insights and connections throughout his political career.

In a notable reflection on Johnson’s influence, journalist Paul Burka once characterized him as the essential contact in El Paso for anyone needing to make a significant political move. Burka wrote, “From the ’40s into the ’60s, banker Sam Young was a true kingmaker (in El Paso). Johnson has held the top spot more through political acumen than through raw power.”

Johnson’s extensive network also led him to meet Herb Kelleher, the founder of Southwest Airlines. Their friendship began during Bentsen’s 1970 Senate campaign when Johnson managed the campaign in El Paso while Kelleher handled it in San Antonio. This connection paved the way for Johnson to join the Southwest Airlines board in 1978, where he contributed to the airline’s transformation into one of the largest carriers in the United States.

A graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Houston School of Law, Johnson also served on the University of Houston Board of Regents, further cementing his dedication to education and public service. He married Annabelle Bean in 1963, a partnership that lasted until her passing in 2020. They are survived by their daughter, Heather Johnson.

Travis Johnson’s death comes shortly after the passing of another former El Paso County judge, Alicia Chacón, who served from 1991 to 1995. The loss of these two influential figures marks a significant moment in the history of El Paso’s political landscape.

As tributes pour in from across the state and beyond, Johnson’s legacy as a skilled politician and a dedicated community leader will be remembered by many.