Scott T. Johnston was raised on a sugar beet, potato and grain farm near Grafton, North Dakota.After graduating from Grafton High School, he attended North Dakota State University (Home of the Mighty Bison), graduating in 1976 with Honors receiving a B. S. in Business Economics.  Scott then attended the University of North Dakota School of Law (Home of the Fighting Sioux) during which time he was a law clerk for 2 years with the Grand Forks law firm of Nelson and Kalash.  He graduated 10th in his class with the UND Law School Class of 1979.  After passing the Minnesota and North Dakota bar exams, Scott joined the Alexandria, Minnesota law firm of Thornton, Hegg and Reif as an associate attorney, becoming a partner in the firm Thornton, Hegg, Reif and Johnston in 1980, and with whom he practiced until 1998, at which time he formed Johnston Law Office.

Scott has been involved in numerous community activities including service in various offices and boards for the Alexandria Sertoma Club, Alexandria United Methodist Church, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Alexandria Community Foundation and the Douglas County Developmental Achievement Center.

Scott has been an avid hunter including waterfowl, pheasants, deer, elk and moose.  He has also been an active cyclist, skier (cross country, downhill and water) and pickleball player.  Scott and his wife, Vicki, have 2 children and 7 grand-children, all of whom have been active in the 4-H Livestock programs—having raised pigs, beef cattle, rabbits, Arabian horses, miniature

horses, goats, sheep, llamas and chickens at various times in the past.