List of Governors of Montana
Encyclopedia
The Governor of Montana is the head of the executive branch of Montana
's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's
military forces
. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Montana State Legislature
, to convene the legislature at any time, and to grant pardon
s and reprieves
.
The current Montana Constitution
, ratified in 1972, calls for a four-year term for the governor, commencing on the first Monday in the January following an election. The governor is term-limited to 8 years in any 16-year period. The constitution provides for the election of a lieutenant governor
for the same term as the governor. The two offices are elected on the same ticket
; a provision which did not appear in the state's first constitution, ratified in 1889. In the event of a vacancy in the office of governor due to resignation, disqualification, or death, the lieutenant governor becomes governor for the remainder of the term. If the governor is unable to perform his duties for any other reason, the lieutenant governor may become acting governor at the discretion of the state legislature. The 1889 constitution made the lieutenant governor president of the state senate, but this provision was removed in the 1972 constitution.
Montana has had 22 governors, consisting of 9 Republicans
and 13 Democrats
. The longest-serving governor was John Edward Erickson, who was elected three times and served from 1925 to 1933 before resigning to become a U.S. senator, only two months into his third term. The shortest-serving governor was Elmer Holt
, who served less than 13 months when the previous governor died. The current governor is Democrat Brian Schweitzer
, who took office on January 3, 2005 and is serving his second term.
(1864–1889), various parts of what is now Montana were parts of Oregon Territory
(1848–1859), Washington Territory
(1853–1863), Idaho Territory
(1863–1864), and Dakota Territory
(1861–1864).
NOTE: Term dates are for the full term of office, see notes column for clarification of dates about actually serving as governor.
Dem Democrat
Rep Republican
UNK = Unknown
Dem Democrat
Rep Republican
(1962–1969, born 1919). The most recent governor to die was Thomas Lee Judge
(1973–1981), on September 8, 2006.
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
military forces
Montana National Guard
The Montana National Guard consists of the:* Montana Army National Guard* Montana Air National Guard ** 120th Fighter Wing ** 219th RED HORSE Squadron When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-in-Chief...
. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Montana State Legislature
Montana State Legislature
The Montana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Montana. It is composed of the 100-member Montana House of Representatives and the 50-member Montana Senate....
, to convene the legislature at any time, and to grant pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
s and reprieves
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
.
The current Montana Constitution
Montana Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Montana is the primary legal document providing for the self-governance of the U.S. State of Montana. It establishes and defines the powers of the three branches of the government of Montana, and the rights of its citizens...
, ratified in 1972, calls for a four-year term for the governor, commencing on the first Monday in the January following an election. The governor is term-limited to 8 years in any 16-year period. The constitution provides for the election of a lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor (United States)
In the United States, 43 of the 50 states have a separate, full-time office of lieutenant governor. In most cases, the lieutenant governor is the highest officer of state after the governor, standing in for that officer when he or she is absent from the state or temporarily incapacitated...
for the same term as the governor. The two offices are elected on the same ticket
Ticket (election)
A ticket refers to a single election choice which fills more than one political office or seat. For example, in the U.S., the candidates for President and Vice President run on the same "ticket", because they are elected together on a single ballot question rather than separately.A ticket can also...
; a provision which did not appear in the state's first constitution, ratified in 1889. In the event of a vacancy in the office of governor due to resignation, disqualification, or death, the lieutenant governor becomes governor for the remainder of the term. If the governor is unable to perform his duties for any other reason, the lieutenant governor may become acting governor at the discretion of the state legislature. The 1889 constitution made the lieutenant governor president of the state senate, but this provision was removed in the 1972 constitution.
Montana has had 22 governors, consisting of 9 Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and 13 Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. The longest-serving governor was John Edward Erickson, who was elected three times and served from 1925 to 1933 before resigning to become a U.S. senator, only two months into his third term. The shortest-serving governor was Elmer Holt
Elmer Holt
William Elmer Holt was the tenth Governor of Montana from 1935 to 1937.Holt graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1902. He served in the Montana House of Representatives and the Montana Senate, where he was chosen president pro tempore in 1935...
, who served less than 13 months when the previous governor died. The current governor is Democrat Brian Schweitzer
Brian Schweitzer
Brian David Schweitzer is an American politician from the U.S. state of Montana. Schweitzer is its 23rd and current governor, serving since January 2005. Schweitzer currently has one of the highest approval ratings among governors in the nation, with polls regularly showing a rating of above 60...
, who took office on January 3, 2005 and is serving his second term.
Governors
Prior to the creation of Montana TerritoryMontana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:...
(1864–1889), various parts of what is now Montana were parts of Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
(1848–1859), Washington Territory
Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 8, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington....
(1853–1863), Idaho Territory
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
(1863–1864), and Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
(1861–1864).
Governors of Montana Territory
Dem Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Rep Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
UNK = Unknown
| # | Governor | Party | Term start | Term end | Appointed by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rep | Did not find out he had been appointed right away; left the state in September 1865 and did not return for 25 years | ||||
| — | Dem | — | Also filled in for Smith as Smith had gone back to the east coast | |||
| 2 | Dem | Did not actually assume office until October 1866 | ||||
| — | Dem | — | ||||
| 2 | Dem | Apparenlty became non-functioning as governor in summer 1868 | ||||
| — | Rep | — | Possibly from late 1868 | |||
| 3 | Rep | Removed from office by President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... in mid-December 1869 for unclear reasons. |
||||
| — | UNK | — | Party affiliation unknown | |||
| 4 | Rep | |||||
| 5 | Rep | |||||
| 6 | Rep | |||||
| 7 | Dem | |||||
| 8 | Dem | |||||
| 9 | Rep |
Governors of Montana
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Rep Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| # | Governor | Party | Took office | Left office | Lt. Governor Lieutenant Governor of Montana Lieutenant Governor of Montana is an official in the state of Montana that ranks just below the Governor of Montana. The current lieutenant governor is John Bohlinger.-List of Lieutenant Governors:* John E. Rickards, Republican,... and Term |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dem |
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| 2 | Rep |
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| 3 | Dem |
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| 4 | Dem |
Edwin L. Norris Edwin Lee Norris was a Montana politician who served as the fifth Governor of Montana.Norris moved from Kentucky to Montana in 1889. He practiced law in Dillon, Montana and was city attorney there for five years. Norris was elected to the Montana State Senate in 1896 and served until 1900. From... (Dem) – 5 |
Resigned due to declining health. | |||
| 5 | Dem |
Benjamin F. White (Montana politician) Benjamin Franklin White was an American lawyer, banker, and politician. He lived in California and Idaho Territory before moving to Montana Territory and founding the city of Dillon... (Rep) – 5 |
As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right. | |||
| 6 | Dem |
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| 7 | Rep |
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| 8 | Dem |
Frank Henry Cooney Frank Henry Cooney was the ninth Governor of Montana from 1933-35.Cooney, a businessman, was public administrator for Silver Bow County, Montana from 1898-1900. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1932... (Dem) - 12 |
Resigned so that his successor would appoint him to the United States Senate United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... . |
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| 9 | Dem |
Elmer Holt William Elmer Holt was the tenth Governor of Montana from 1935 to 1937.Holt graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1902. He served in the Montana House of Representatives and the Montana Senate, where he was chosen president pro tempore in 1935... (Dem) - 12 |
As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term. Died in office while governor. | |||
| 10 | Dem |
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As president of the state senate, filled unexpired term. | |||
| 11 | Dem |
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| 12 | Rep |
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| 13 | Dem |
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| 14 | Rep |
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| 15 | Rep |
Tim M. Babcock Tim Milford Babcock was the 16th Governor of the U.S. state of Montana. He was born in Littlefork, Minnesota.Babcock served in the Montana legislature prior to being elected lieutenant governor in 1960. He became governor in 1962 upon the death of Governor Donald Nutter. Babcock served until 1969,... (Rep) - 19 |
Died in office. | |||
| 16 | Rep |
|
As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right. | |||
| 17 | Dem |
Thomas Lee Judge Thomas Lee Judge was an American politician.Judge was born in Helena, Montana. He served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1961 to 1967 and in the Montana Senate from 1967 to 1969, and as Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 1969 to 1973. Judge was the 18th Governor of Montana from 1973... (Dem) - 21 |
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| 18 | Dem |
Ted Schwinden Theodore "Ted" Schwinden served as the 19th Governor of Montana from 1981 until 1989.Schwinden was Lieutenant Governor under Thomas Judge and defeated his predecessor in the Democratic primary in 1980... (Dem) - 23 |
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| 19 | Dem |
George Turman George Fugett Turman was a former Lieutenant Governor of Montana. Originally a Republican state legislator before becoming a Democrat, he was elected to the position in 1981 on a ticket with fellow Democrat Ted Schwinden. They were re-elected in 1985. Turman relinquished the position in 1988... (Dem) - 24, 25 |
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| 20 | Rep |
Allen Kolstad Allen C. Kolstad was an American farmer and politician from Montana. A Republican from Chester in Liberty County, Montana, he was prominent in state politics for more than 40 years, beginning in 1968 with his election to the state House of Representatives... (Rep) - 26 Denny Rehberg Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:... (Rep) - 26 |
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| 21 | Rep |
Denny Rehberg Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:... (Rep) - 27 Judy Martz Judy Martz was the 22nd Governor of Montana, having served a single term from January 2, 2001, to January 3, 2005. Earlier, she was the Lieutenant Governor under Marc Racicot from 1997-2001... (Rep) - 28 |
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| 22 | Rep |
Karl Ohs Karl Ohs was the Lieutenant Governor of the state of Montana under Judy Martz.-Background:Karl Ohs was born in Malta, Montana and was a Montana rancher and farmer before entering politics... (Rep) - 29 |
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| 23 | Dem | Incumbent |
John Bohlinger John Bohlinger, Jr. is the current Lieutenant Governor of Montana. Bohlinger for lieutenant governor ran as a Republican on a bipartisan ticket headed by Democrat Brian Schweitzer... (Rep) - 30, 31 |
Governor Schweitzer's second term expires in 2013; he is term limit Term limit A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for... ed. |
Other high offices held
This is a table of the higher federal offices and other governorships held by governors. All representatives and senators represented Montana. * denotes cases where the governor resigned the governship to accept the other office.| Name | Gubernatorial term | Higher offices held |
|---|---|---|
| 1889–1893, 1901–1908 | Territorial Delegate United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... |
|
| 1921–1925 | U.S. Representative United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... , U.S. Senator United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... |
|
| 1925–1933 | U.S. Senator United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... * |
|
| 1937–1941 | U.S. Representative United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... |
Living former governors
, five former governors are alive, the oldest being Tim M. BabcockTim M. Babcock
Tim Milford Babcock was the 16th Governor of the U.S. state of Montana. He was born in Littlefork, Minnesota.Babcock served in the Montana legislature prior to being elected lieutenant governor in 1960. He became governor in 1962 upon the death of Governor Donald Nutter. Babcock served until 1969,...
(1962–1969, born 1919). The most recent governor to die was Thomas Lee Judge
Thomas Lee Judge
Thomas Lee Judge was an American politician.Judge was born in Helena, Montana. He served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1961 to 1967 and in the Montana Senate from 1967 to 1969, and as Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 1969 to 1973. Judge was the 18th Governor of Montana from 1973...
(1973–1981), on September 8, 2006.
| Name | Gubernatorial term | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| 1962–1969 | October 27, 1919 (age 92) | |
| 1981–1989 | August 31, 1925 (age 86) | |
| 1989–1993 | September 16, 1929 (age 82) | |
| 1993–2001 | July 24, 1948 (age 63) | |
| 2001–2005 | July 28, 1943 (age 68) |