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List of governors of Montana

None

Summary

None

FieldValue
postGovernor
bodyMontana
insigniaMontana-StateSeal.svg
insigniasize110px
insigniacaptionState seal
flagFlag of Montana.svg
flagsize145px
flagcaptionState flag
imageFile:Greg Gianforte in Taiwan (cropped).jpg
incumbentGreg Gianforte
incumbentsinceJanuary 4, 2021
styleThe Honorable
departmentGovernment of Montana
residenceMontana Governor's Residence
termlengthFour years, renewable once (limited to eight years in a sixteen year period)
formation
constituting_instrumentMontana Constitution of 1889
successionLine of succession
deputyLieutenant Governor of Montana
inauguralJoseph K. Toole
salary$108,167 (2022)
website

The governor of Montana is the head of government of Montana 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 pardons and reprieves.

Montana has had 24 governors, consisting of 9 Republicans and 15 Democrats. The longest-serving governor was Joseph Toole, who served from 1889 to 1893 and again from 1901 until his resignation in 1908 with 11 years in office. He is the only governor to serve nonconsecutive terms. The shortest-serving governor was Elmer Holt, who served less than 13 months when the previous governor died. The current governor is Republican Greg Gianforte, who took office on January 4, 2021.

List of governors

Territory of Montana

Montana Territory was organized from Idaho Territory on May 26, 1864. During its 35-year history, it had nine governors appointed by the president of the United States, and three acting governors, all of whom had been appointed territorial secretary before becoming acting governor. The first, Thomas Francis Meagher, served as acting governor from 1865 until 1867. The second, James Tufts, served in for one month in 1869, and was succeeded by Wiley Scribner, who served 1869–1870.

No.GovernorTerm in officeAppointed by123456789
[[File:SEdgerton.jpg75px]]Sidney Edgerton
(1818–1900)
–
July 13, 1866
(successor appointed)
[[File:Green Clay Smith - Brady-Handy.jpg75px]]Green Clay Smith
(1826–1895)
–
April 9, 1869
(resigned)
[[File:James Mitchell Ashley - Brady-Handy.jpg75px]]James Mitchell Ashley
(1824–1896)
–
December 17, 1869
(removed)
[[File:Benjamin F Potts.jpg75px]]Benjamin F. Potts
(1836–1887)
–
August 4, 1882
(successor appointed)
[[File:John Schuyler Crosby.jpg75px]]John Schuyler Crosby
(1839–1914)
–
November 11, 1884
(resigned)
[[File:Benjamin Platt Carpenter (Montana Territorial Governor).jpg75px]]B. Platt Carpenter
(1837–1921)
–
July 3, 1885
(removed)
[[File:Samuel Thomas Hauser.gif75px]]Samuel Thomas Hauser
(1833–1914)
–
January 13, 1887
(resigned)
[[File:PHLeslie.jpg75px]]Preston Leslie
(1819–1907)
{{efnLeslie was nominated on December 15, 1886; confirmed by the Senate on January 13, 1887;U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal.
[[File:Benjamin Franklin White (Montana Territory Governor).jpg75px]]Benjamin F. White
(1838–1920)
–
November 8, 1889
(statehood)

State of Montana

Montana was admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889.

The current Montana Constitution, ratified in 1972, calls for a 4-year term for the governor, commencing on the first Monday in January following an election. A 1992 amendment limits the governor 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.

No.GovernorTerm in officePartyElectionLt. Governor12345678910111213141516171819202122232425
[[File:JosephKToole.JPG75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"Joseph Toole
(1851–1929)
–
January 2, 1893
(did not run)Democratic1889Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:John E Rickards.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"John E. Rickards
(1848–1927)
–
January 4, 1897
(did not run)Republican1892
[[File:Robert Burns Smith (Montana Governor).jpg75px]]Robert Burns Smith
(1854–1908)
–
January 7, 1901
(did not run)Fusion1896Populist Party (United States)}};"
[[File:JosephKToole.JPG75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"Joseph Toole
(1851–1929)
–
April 1, 1908
(resigned)Democratic1900Democratic Party (United States)}};"
1904
[[File:Edwin L. Norris (Montana Governor).jpg75px]]Edwin L. Norris
(1865–1924)
–
January 6, 1913
(did not run)DemocraticSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorRepublican Party (United States)}};"
1908
[[File:Sam V. Stewart.jpg75px]]Sam V. Stewart
(1872–1939)
–
January 3, 1921
(did not run)Democratic1912Democratic Party (United States)}};"
1916
[[File:Joseph M. Dixon.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Joseph M. Dixon
(1867–1934)
–
January 5, 1925
(lost election)Republican1920Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:John Erickson.jpg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"John E. Erickson
(1863–1946)
–
March 13, 1933
(resigned)Democratic1924
1928
1932Democratic Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Frank Henry Cooney.jpg75px]]Frank Henry Cooney
(1872–1935)
–
December 15, 1935
(died in office)DemocraticSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorRepublican Party (United States)}};"
Democratic Party (United States)}};"
[[File:W. Elmer Holt (Montana governor).jpg75px]]Elmer Holt
(1884–1945)
–
January 4, 1937
(lost nomination)DemocraticSucceeded from
president of
the SenateWilliam P. Pilgeram
[[File:Roy E. Ayers.jpg75px]]Roy E. Ayers
(1882–1955)
–
January 6, 1941
(lost election)Democratic1936
[[File:Sam C. Ford.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Sam C. Ford
(1882–1961)
–
January 3, 1949
(lost election)Republican1940Republican Party (United States)}};"
1944
[[File:John W. Bonner.jpg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"John W. Bonner
(1902–1970)
–
January 5, 1953
(lost election)Democratic1948Democratic Party (United States)}};"
[[File:J. Hugo Aronson.jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"J. Hugo Aronson
(1891–1978)
–
January 2, 1961
(did not run)Republican1952Republican Party (United States)}};"
1956Democratic Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Donald G. Nutter.jpg75px]]Donald Grant Nutter
(1915–1962)
–
January 25, 1962
(died in office)Republican1960Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Tim Babcock.jpg75px]]Tim Babcock
(1919–2015)
–
January 6, 1969
(lost election)RepublicanSucceeded from
lieutenant
governorDemocratic Party (United States)}};"
1964Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Forrest H. Anderson (Montana governor).jpg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"Forrest H. Anderson
(1913–1989)
–
January 1, 1973
(did not run)Democratic1968Democratic Party (United States)}};"
75pxThomas Lee Judge
(1934–2006)
–
January 5, 1981
(lost nomination)Democratic1972
1976
[[File:Ted-Schwinden-as-Governor.jpg75px]]Ted Schwinden
(1925–2023)
–
January 2, 1989
(did not run)Democratic1980
1984
[[File:Montana governor Stan Stephens.jpeg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Stan Stephens
(1929–2021)
–
January 4, 1993
(did not run)Republican1988Republican Party (United States)}};"
[[File:Marc Racicot 2008 (cropped).JPG75px]]Marc Racicot
(b. 1948)
–
January 2, 2001
(term-limited)Republican1992
1996
[[File:Judy Martz 2003 (cropped).jpg75px]]Judy Martz
(1943–2017)
–
January 3, 2005
(did not run)Republican2000
[[File:Brian Schweitzer official photo.jpg75px]]Democratic Party (United States)}};"Brian Schweitzer
(b. 1955)
–
January 7, 2013
(term-limited)Democratic2004
2008
[[File:Steve Bullock by Gage Skidmore.jpg75px]]Steve Bullock
(b. 1966)
–
January 4, 2021
(term-limited)Democratic2012Democratic Party (United States)}};"
2016
[[File:Greg Gianforte in Taiwan (cropped).jpg75px]]Republican Party (United States)}};"Greg Gianforte
(b. 1961)
–
IncumbentRepublican2020Republican Party (United States)}};"
2024

Timeline

Electoral history (1952–)

YearDemocratic nomineeRepublican nomineeIndependent candidateLibertarian nomineeGreen nomineeCandidate#%Candidate#%Candidate#%Candidate#%Candidate#%
1952Democratic Party (United States)}}"John W. Bonner129,36949.04%Republican Party (United States)}}"J. Hugo Aronson134,42350.96%–––
1956Democratic Party (United States)}}"Arnold Olsen131,48848.63%Republican Party (United States)}}"J. Hugo Aronson138,87851.37%–––
1960Democratic Party (United States)}}"Paul C. Cannon125,65144.89%Republican Party (United States)}}"Donald G. Nutter154,23055.11%–––
1964Democratic Party (United States)}}"Roland Renne136,86248.71%Republican Party (United States)}}"Tim Babcock144,11351.29%–––
1968Democratic Party (United States)}}"Forrest H. Anderson150,48154.11%Republican Party (United States)}}"Tim Babcock116,43241.87%Nonpartisan}}"Wayne Montgomery
(New Reform)11,1994.03%––
1972Democratic Party (United States)}}"Thomas Lee Judge172,52354.12%Republican Party (United States)}}"Ed Smith146,23145.88%–––
1976Democratic Party (United States)}}"Thomas Lee Judge195,42061.70%Republican Party (United States)}}"Bob Woodahl115,84836.58%Nonpartisan}}"Charlie Mahoney5,4521.72%––
1980Democratic Party (United States)}}"Ted Schwinden199,57455.37%Republican Party (United States)}}"Jack Ramirez160,89244.63%–––
1984Democratic Party (United States)}}"Ted Schwinden266,57870.34%Republican Party (United States)}}"Pat M. Goodover100,07026.41%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Larry Dodge12,3223.25%–
1988Democratic Party (United States)}}"Thomas Lee Judge169,31346.13%Republican Party (United States)}}"Stan Stephens190,60451.93%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"William Dee Morris7,1041.94%–
1992Democratic Party (United States)}}"Dorothy Bradley198,42148.65%Republican Party (United States)}}"Marc Racicot209,40151.35%–––
1996Democratic Party (United States)}}"Judy Jacobson84,40720.83%Republican Party (United States)}}"Marc Racicot320,76879.17%–––
2000Democratic Party (United States)}}"Mark O'Keefe193,13147.08%Republican Party (United States)}}"Judy Martz209,13550.98%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Stan Jones7,9261.93%–
2004Democratic Party (United States)}}"Brian Schweitzer225,01650.44%Republican Party (United States)}}"Bob Brown205,31346.02%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Stan Jones7,4241.66%Green Party (United States)}}"Bob Kelleher8,3931.88%
2008Democratic Party (United States)}}"Brian Schweitzer318,67065.47%Republican Party (United States)}}"Roy Brown158,26832.52%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Stan Jones9,9762.01%–
2012Democratic Party (United States)}}"Steve Bullock236,45048.90%Republican Party (United States)}}"Rick Hill228,87947.34%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Ron Vandevender18,1603.76%–
2016Democratic Party (United States)}}"Steve Bullock255,93350.25%Republican Party (United States)}}"Greg Gianforte236,11546.35%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Ted Dunlap17,3123.40%–
2020Democratic Party (United States)}}"Mike Cooney250,86041.56%Republican Party (United States)}}"Greg Gianforte328,54854.43%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Lyman Bishop24,1794.01%–
2024Democratic Party (United States)}}"Ryan Busse232,64438.62%Republican Party (United States)}}"Greg Gianforte354,56958.86%–Libertarian Party (United States)}}"Kaiser Leib15,1912.52%–

Notes

References

;General

; Specific

References

  1. "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries". The Council of State Governments.
  2. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 4.
  3. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 7.
  4. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 10.
  5. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 11.
  6. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 12.
  7. {{usstat. 13. 85
  8. Allen, Fredrick. (Spring 2001). "Montana Vigilantes: and the Origins of the 3-7-77". Montana The Magazine of Western History.
  9. Burlingame, Merrill Gildea. (1942). "The Montana Frontier". State Publishing Company.
  10. (September 29, 1889). "Recorder Scribner Dead". The Inter Ocean.
  11. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 38th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=zlug2rKqTNsC&pg=PA590 590], accessed March 24, 2023.
  12. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 38th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=zlug2rKqTNsC&pg=PA594 594], accessed March 24, 2023.
  13. Goodspeed, Weston Arthur. (1904). "The Province and the States: Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota". Western Historical Association.
  14. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 39th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=FkRN8TGdjPYC&pg=PA862 862], accessed March 24, 2023.
  15. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 39th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=FkRN8TGdjPYC&pg=PA920 920], accessed March 24, 2023.
  16. Malone, Michael P.. (1976). "Montana: A History of Two Centuries". University of Washington Press.
  17. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 41st Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=TRhHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA81 81], accessed March 24, 2023.
  18. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 41st Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=TRhHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA120 120], accessed March 24, 2023.
  19. (1869-12-31). "The Removal of Gov. Ashley". Ottawa County Union.
  20. Eblen, Jack Ericson. (1968). "The First and Second United States Empires: Governors and Territorial Government, 1784-1912". University of Pittsburgh Press.
  21. Toole, Kenneth Ross. (1959). "Montana: An Uncommon Land". University of Oklahoma Press.
  22. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 41st Cong., 2nd sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=TRhHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA317 317], accessed March 24, 2023.
  23. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 41st Cong., 2nd sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=TRhHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA539 539], accessed March 24, 2023.
  24. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 43rd Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=QVoUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA367 367], accessed March 24, 2023.
  25. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 45th Cong., 2nd sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=cj2DLzVI238C&pg=PA354 354], accessed March 24, 2023.
  26. (1896). "Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana". State Publishing Company.
  27. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 47th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=5iZqp6LiAkkC&pg=PA497 497], accessed March 24, 2023.
  28. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 47th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=5iZqp6LiAkkC&pg=PA519 519], accessed March 24, 2023.
  29. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 48th Cong., 2nd sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=Zd-tAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA387 387], accessed March 24, 2023.
  30. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 48th Cong., 2nd sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=Zd-tAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA402 402], accessed March 24, 2023.
  31. Spence, Clark C.. (1978). "Montana: A History". W. W. Norton & Company.
  32. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 49th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=97kzyydE0yoC&pg=PA55 55], accessed March 24, 2023.
  33. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 49th Cong., 1st sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=97kzyydE0yoC&pg=PA462 462], accessed March 24, 2023.
  34. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 49th Cong., 2nd sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=97kzyydE0yoC&pg=PA647 647], accessed March 24, 2023.
  35. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 51st Cong., special sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=ubzy660-TXoC&pg=PA40 40], accessed March 24, 2023.
  36. U.S. Congress. ''Senate Exec. Journal''. 51st Cong., special sess., [https://books.google.com/books?id=ubzy660-TXoC&pg=PA46 46], accessed March 24, 2023.
  37. {{usstat. 25. 676
  38. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 1.
  39. [[Montana Constitution]], Article IV, Section 8.
  40. [[Montana Constitution]], Article VI, Section 14.
  41. "Joseph Kemp Toole". [[National Governors Association]].
  42. (1889-11-09). "For Joseph K. Toole". The Butte Miner.
  43. "John Ezra Rickards". [[National Governors Association]].
  44. (1893-01-03). "The Lower House". The Anaconda Standard.
  45. "Robert Burns Smith". [[National Governors Association]].
  46. (1897-01-04). "The Governor Sworn In". The Butte Daily Post.
  47. (1901-01-07). "Governor Toole Takes Office". The Butte Daily Post.
  48. "Edwin Lee Norris". [[National Governors Association]].
  49. (1908-04-01). "It Will Be Gov. Norris Today". The Butte Miner.
  50. "Samuel Vernon Stewart". [[National Governors Association]].
  51. (1913-01-07). "Stewart Sworn In As Governor". The Anaconda Standard.
  52. "Joseph Moore Dixon". [[National Governors Association]].
  53. (1921-01-04). "Joseph M. Dixon Is Inaugurated Chief Executive". The Anaconda Standard.
  54. "John Edward Erickson". [[National Governors Association]].
  55. (1925-01-06). "Wheels Wait to Turn at Capital". The Billings Gazette.
  56. "Frank Henry Cooney". [[National Governors Association]].
  57. (1933-03-14). "Erickson Is Montana Senator - Appointed by Cooney After Resignation". The Missoulian.
  58. "William Elmer Holt". [[National Governors Association]].
  59. (1935-12-16). "Senator Holt, Miles City, Is Governor, Following Demise of Frank H. Cooney". Great Falls Tribune.
  60. "Roy Elmer Ayers". [[National Governors Association]].
  61. (1937-01-05). "Governor Moves Inaugural Rite Ahead to Allay Excitement of Father, Who Administered Oath". Great Falls Tribune.
  62. "Samuel Clarence Ford". [[National Governors Association]].
  63. (1941-01-07). "Governor Is Paid Tribute At Reception". The Missoulian.
  64. "John Woodrow Bonner". [[National Governors Association]].
  65. (1949-01-04). "New, Reelected State Officers Are Given Oath". The Billings Gazette.
  66. "John Hugo Aronson". [[National Governors Association]].
  67. (1953-01-06). "Hundreds Attend Reception for Governor". The Missoulian.
  68. "Donald Grant Nutter". [[National Governors Association]].
  69. (1961-01-03). "Donald G. Nutter, State's 15th Governor, "On Job"". The Independent-Record.
  70. "Tim M. Babcock". [[National Governors Association]].
  71. (1962-01-26). "Babcock, Close Friend of Nutter, Becomes State's 15th Governor". Great Falls Tribune.
  72. "Forrest H. Anderson". [[National Governors Association]].
  73. Van Swearingen, Hugh. (1969-01-07). "It's Gov. Forrest Now". The Billings Gazette.
  74. "Thomas Lee Judge". [[National Governors Association]].
  75. (1973-01-02). "Tom Judge Is Inaugurated As State's 17th Governor". Great Falls Tribune.
  76. "Ted Schwinden". [[National Governors Association]].
  77. (1981-01-06). "Schwinden Says Job a Challenge". The Montana Standard.
  78. "Stan Stephens". [[National Governors Association]].
  79. O'Connell, Sue. (1989-01-03). "State Officials Sworn In, Given Solemn Charge". Great Falls Tribune.
  80. "Marc Racicot". [[National Governors Association]].
  81. Salemy, Shirley. (1993-01-05). "Racicot Sworn In As 20th Governor". Great Falls Tribune.
  82. "Mont. Const. art. IV, § 8".
  83. "Judy Martz". [[National Governors Association]].
  84. Johnson, Charles S.. (2001-01-03). "Martz Sworn In As Governor, Seeks To Unify Montanans". The Billings Gazette.
  85. "Brian Schweitzer". [[National Governors Association]].
  86. McKee, Jennifer. (2005-01-04). "Fanfare, Drums Mark Ceremony". The Billings Gazette.
  87. "Steve Bullock". [[National Governors Association]].
  88. Johnson, Charles S.. "Bullock Sworn In As 24th Governor of Montana". Billings Gazette.
  89. "Greg Gianforte". [[National Governors Association]].
  90. Samuels, Iris. (2021-04-20). "Greg Gianforte Sworn In As Montana's 25th Governor".
  91. Drew, Micah. (2025-01-06). "Gov. Gianforte, statewide elected officials take oaths of office during inauguration ceremony • Daily Montanan". Daily Montanan.
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