formergovernors.mt.govMontana Former Governors

Former Governors Steve Bullock (2014-2020) Steve Bullock is an American politician and lawyer that served as the 24th governor of Montana since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Born in Missoula, Montana, Bullock graduated from Claremont McKenna College and Columbia Law School. He began his career working as legal counsel to the Secretary of State of Montana before becoming the Executive Assistant Attorney General and acting Chief Deputy Attorney General of Montana. Bullock then entered private practice as a lawyer for Steptoe & Johnson. He was an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School before opening his own law firm upon returning to Montana. In 2008, Bullock was elected Attorney General of Montana, and he served one term from 2009 to 2013. Wikipedia National Governors Association Brian Schweitzer (2005-2013) Brian Schweitzer was a farmer and rancher who had held no elected office prior to being elected Montana’s 23rd governor in 2004. The grandson of Montana homesteaders, Schweitzer, a Democrat, grew up on a cattle ranch in the Judith Basin, earned a bachelor’s degree in international agronomy from Colorado State University, and a master’s in soil science from Montana State University. He worked overseas on agricultural and irrigation projects and has visited 37 countries. Among Schweitzer’s accomplishments were job creation; increasing Montana’s electrical generation capacity and oil production; and investments in K-12 and higher education. During the Schweitzer years Montana’s bond rating was upgraded and a budget surplus of more than $400 million was left at the end of his term. Wikipedia National Governors Association Judy Martz (2001-2005) Judy Martz was elected in 2000. She is the first woman elected governor and the first woman elected Lieutenant Governor of Montana, on the ticket with Governor Marc Racicot in 1996. She was a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team and also Miss Rodeo Montana. A Republican, Governor Martz was Chair of the Western Governors’ Association in 2003, and led the effort among her fellow governors for passage of the federal Healthy Forest Act. Among her many accomplishments, Governor Martz is especially proud of the income and capital gains tax cuts she signed into law and the $163 million budget surplus left at the end of her term. Wikipedia National Governors Association Marc Racicot (1993-2001) Marc Racicot , a Republican from Missoula and Helena, was born July 24, 1948, in Thompson Falls, Montana. A former county prosecutor, and Attorney General, Governor Racicot worked with the Legislature to eliminate a $200 million deficit in 1993, and to produce a $22.4 million budget surplus by 1995. At the Governor’s request, the Legislature approved refunding the money to state taxpayers. Governor Racicot went on to become Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Wikipedia National Governors Association Stan Stephens (1989-1993) Stan Stephens , a Republican from Havre, was born September 16, 1929, in Alberta, Canada. A former legislator, Governor Stephens served from 1989 to 1993. As a part of his term, he oversaw the 1989 Montana Statehood Centennial celebration. Wikipedia National Governors Association Ted Schwinden (1981-1989) Ted Schwinden , a Democrat, was born August 3, 1925, in Wolf Point, Montana. A farmer, former Wolf Point legislator, and former Lieutenant Governor, Governor Schwinden served from 1981 to 1989. Through fiscally principled government Schwinden guided Montana through difficult economic times. His "Build Montana" economic plan and his popular traveling "Capital for a Day" events were the hallmarks of his administration. Wikipedia National Governors Association Thomas L. Judge (1973-1981) Thomas L. Judge , a Democrat, was born on October 12, 1934, in Helena, Montana. A former Helena legislator and Lieutenant Governor, Governor Judge served from 1973 to 1981. The Judge administration worked closely with the legislature to implement environmental protection policies including the Montana Environmental Policy Act, and the Major Facility Siting Act. Governor Judge also signed the Coal Severance Tax into law in 1975. Wikipedia National Governors Association Forrest H. Anderson (1969-1973) Forrest H. Anderson , a Democrat, was born January 30, 1913, in Helena, Montana. A former Helena legislator, Attorney General, and Supreme Court Justice, Governor Anderson served from 1969 to 1973. Anderson’s reorganization of state government combined over 100 state agencies into 19 departments and increased the efficiency of state government. Governor Anderson also authorized the 1972 Constitutional Convention and implemented the new constitution once it was ratified. Wikipedia National Governors Association Tim M. Babcock (1962-1969) Tim. M. Babcock , a Republican from Billings, was born October 27, 1919, in Littlefork, Minnesota. A former legislator, Governor Babcock was elected lieutenant governor with Nutter and succeeded him upon his death in 1962 and served until 1969. Babcock moderated the budget signed by Nutter, and proposed a 3 percent sales tax to support state government. Governor Babcock went on to represent Montana on the Republican National Committee. Wikipedia National Governors Association Donald G. Nutter (1961-1962) Donald G. Nutter , a Republican from Sidney, was born November 28, 1915, in Lambert, Montana. A winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II, former Richland County Senator and State Chairman of the Republican Party, Governor Nutter served from 1961 to 1962. Facing a revenue shortfall, Nutter signed a budget that cut expenditures for state government. He was killed in an airplane crash at Wolf Creek in January of 1962. Wikipedia National Governors Association John Hugo Aronson (1953-1961) John Hugo Aronson , a Republican from Cut Bank, was born September 1, 1891, in Gallstad, Sweden. "The Galloping Swede" was a former Glacier County Senator and Hi-Line businessman. Governor Aronson served from 1953 to 1961. Aronson authorized the exclusive revenue for the state Highway Department with the creation of state gasoline user taxes. Governor Aronson also authorized the creation of the Legislative Council to assist the legislative branch in the creation of necessary law. Wikipedia National Governors Association John W. Bonner (1949-1953) John W. Bonner , a Democrat from Butte, was born July 16, 1902, in Silver Bow County, Montana. A former Attorney General, Governor Bonner served from 1949 to 1953. A veteran of World War II, Bonner laid out a liberal program for Montana that included the School Foundation Program, which provided state funds to equalize educational standards and opportunities. Wikipedia National Governors Association Samuel C. Ford (1941-1949) Samuel C. Ford , a Republican, was born November 7, 1882, in Albany, Kentucky. A former Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice, Governor Ford served from 1941 to 1949. During his term, Ford reduced the state bureaucracy and faced such issues as a state sales tax, the management of public education, and state liquor control. Wikipedia National Governors Association Roy E. Ayers (1937-1941) Roy E. Ayers , a Democrat, was born November 9, 1882, near Lewistown, Montana Territory. A former United States Congressman, Governor Ayers served from 1937 to 1941. Ayers was the first governor born in what became the state of Montana. During his term, Ayers oversaw the expansion of state bureaucracy and signed a bill to give the governor new powers in directing state government. Wikipedia National Governors Association William E. Holt (1935-1937) William Elmer Holt , a Democrat was born October 14, 1884, in Savannah, Missouri. As President Pro-Tempore of the Montana Senate from Miles City, he assumed the governorship as a result of Governor Cooney’s death in 1935. He served until 1937. Wikipedia National Governors Association Frank H. Cooney (1933-1935) Frank H. Cooney , a Democrat,...