Politics | Mike Johanns Nebraska GOP Senator to Retire He's one of only two Republicans backing Chuck Hagel By Kevin Spak Posted Feb 18, 2013 11:29 AM CST Copied Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb. speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington,Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, as the lame duck 112th Congress session began. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns has informed his state's governor that he doesn't intend to run for re-election next year, sources tell NBC News. Johanns is notable as the man who replaced Chuck Hagel in the Senate—and is now one of only two Senate Republicans publicly backing his defense nomination. He hasn't made headlines often, but you might remember the time he tried to ban Japanese cars, or the time he butted heads with John McCain over popcorn. Read These Next JFK granddaughter dies at 35. He turned one drawn-out expletive into a catchphrase. NFL star Stefon Diggs faces felony charge of strangulation. Dashcam video appears to show missing Texas teen on foot. Report an error