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Governor of Montana
Montana-StateSeal.svg
Greg Gianforte 2020.jpg
Incumbent
Greg Gianforte

since January 4, 2021
Style The Honorable
Residence Montana Governor's Residence
Term length Four years, renewable once (limited to eight years in a sixteen year period)
Constituting instrument Montana Constitution of 1889
Inaugural holder Joseph K. Toole
Formation November 8, 1889
(134 years ago)
 (1889-11-08)
Succession Every four years, unless re-elected.
Salary $108,167 (2013)

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.

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. 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 24 governors (ten of whom were actually born within state boundaries), 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.

Qualifications

Anyone who seeks to be elected Governor of Montana must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be at least 25 years of age or older at the time of election
  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • have resided within the state at least two years at his or her election

Governors

Prior to the creation of Montana Territory (1864–1889), numerous areas of what is now Montana were areas of Oregon Territory (1848–1859), Washington Territory (1853–1863), Idaho Territory (1863–1864), and Dakota Territory (1861–1864).

Governors of the Territory of Montana

NOTE: Term dates are for the full, official term of office, see notes column for clarification of dates when men served as governor.

      Republican (6)           Democratic (3)

No. Governor Term in office Party Appointed by Notes
1 SEdgerton.jpg   Edgerton, SidneySidney Edgerton
    April 3, 1833 – November 27, 1899   
(aged 66)
June 22, 1864

July 12, 1866
Republican Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln Left for Washington, DC in September 1865 to settle federal accounts, obtain federal funding, and obtain reimbursement for personal funds spent on behalf of Montana's government. Resigned after funding issue remained unresolved.
Meagher4s.jpg   Meagher (acting), Thomas FrancisThomas Francis Meagher (acting)
    3 August 1823 – 1 July 1867   
(aged 43)
September 1865

October 3, 1866
Democratic As Secretary of the Territory, he acted as governor in place of Gov. Edgerton while he was out of the Territory. He also acted in place of Gov. Smith until he arrived to assume his duties.
2 Green Clay Smith - Brady-Handy.jpg   Smith, Green ClayGreen Clay Smith
    July 4, 1826 – June 29, 1895   
(aged 68)
October 3, 1866

April 9, 1869
Democratic Johnson, AndrewAndrew Johnson Left Montana in July 1868 to settle federal accounts and obtain federal funds following Thomas F. Meagher's death; remained in Washington, DC. He was ordained as a Baptist minister and became a temperance activist. Officially resigned in April 1869.
James Tufts (Montana Governor).jpg   Tufts (acting), JamesJames Tufts (acting)
    September 19, 1829 – August 18, 1884   
(aged 54)
March 1869

April 9, 1869
Republican Acted as governor from July 1868, when Green Clay Smith left for Washington, DC to April 1869 when James M. Ashley arrived.
3 James Mitchell Ashley - Brady-Handy.jpg   Ashley, James MitchellJames Mitchell Ashley
    November 14, 1824 – September 16, 1896   
(aged 71)
April 9, 1869

July 12, 1870
Republican Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant Refusal to include Democrats in appointments made him unpopular; opponents then accused him of criticizing Grant administration policies, resulting in Grant removing him.
Wiley S. Scribner (Governor of Montana Territory).jpg   Scribner (acting), WileyWiley Scribner (acting)
    September 6, 1840 – September 28, 1889   
(aged 49)
December 1869

August 1870
Republican Acted as governor until arrival of Benjamin F. Potts.
4 Benjamin F Potts.jpg   Potts, Benjamin F.Benjamin F. Potts
    January 29, 1836 – June 17, 1887   
(aged 51)
July 13, 1870

January 14, 1883
Republican Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant Term expired, July 1882. Potts remained in office until successor J. Schuyler Crosby arrived in Montana in January 1883.
5 John Schuyler Crosby.jpg   Crosby, John SchuylerJohn Schuyler Crosby
    September 19, 1839 – August 8, 1914   
(aged 74)
January 15, 1883

December 15, 1884
Republican Arthur, Chester A.Chester A. Arthur Resigned to accept appointment as First Assistant Postmaster General.
6 Benjamin Platt Carpenter (Montana Territorial Governor).jpg   Carpenter, B. PlattB. Platt Carpenter
    May 14, 1837 – December 24, 1921   
(aged 84)
December 16, 1884

July 13, 1885
Republican Arthur, Chester A.Chester A. Arthur Replaced when Democrat Grover Cleveland succeeded Republican President Chester A. Arthur.
7 Samuel Thomas Hauser.gif   Hauser, Samuel ThomasSamuel Thomas Hauser
    January 10, 1833 – November 10, 1914   
(aged 81)
July 14, 1885

February 7, 1887
Democratic Cleveland, GroverGrover Cleveland Resigned in order to concentrate on management of business and banking interests.
8 PHLeslie.jpg   Leslie, PrestonPreston Leslie
    March 8, 1819 – February 7, 1907   
(aged 87)
February 8, 1887

April 8, 1889
Democratic Cleveland, GroverGrover Cleveland Pro-temperance stance and policy disagreements with Republicans in territorial legislature caused legislators to request his replacement. Later served as Montana's U.S. Attorney and president of the state bar association.
9 Benjamin Franklin White (Montana Territory Governor).jpg   White, Benjamin F.Benjamin F. White
    December 3, 1838 – December 4, 1920   
(aged 82)
April 9, 1889

November 8, 1889
Republican Harrison, BenjaminBenjamin Harrison Term ended when Montana attained statehood. Later served as Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives and a member of the Montana Senate.

Governors of the State of Montana

      Republican (15)           Democratic (10)

No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 JosephKToole.JPG   Toole, JosephJoseph Toole
    May 12, 1851 – March 11, 1929   
(aged 77)
November 8, 1889

January 1, 1893
Democratic 1889   John E. Rickards
2 John E Rickards.jpg   Rickards, John E.John E. Rickards
    July 23, 1848 – December 26, 1927   
(aged 79)
January 2, 1893

January 3, 1897
Republican 1892 Alexander C. Botkin
3 Robert Burns Smith (Montana Governor).jpg   Smith, Robert BurnsRobert Burns Smith
    December 29, 1854 – November 16, 1908   
(aged 53)
January 4, 1897

January 7, 1901
Democratic 1896   A. E. Spriggs
4 JosephKToole.JPG Toole, JosephJoseph Toole
    May 12, 1851 – March 11, 1929   
(aged 77)
January 7, 1901

April 1, 1908
(resigned)
Democratic 1900   Frank G. Higgins
1904 Edwin L. Norris
5 Edwin L. Norris (Montana Governor).jpg Norris, Edwin L.Edwin L. Norris
    August 15, 1865 – April 25, 1924   
(aged 58)
April 1, 1908

January 5, 1913
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
  Benjamin F. White
1908 William R. Allen
6 Sam V. Stewart.jpg Stewart, Sam V.Sam V. Stewart
    August 2, 1872 – September 15, 1939   
(aged 67)
January 6, 1913

January 2, 1921
Democratic 1912   W.W. McDowell
1916
7 Joseph M. Dixon.jpg   Dixon, Joseph M.Joseph M. Dixon
    July 31, 1867 – May 22, 1934   
(aged 66)
January 3, 1921

January 4, 1925
Republican 1920   Nelson Story, Jr.
8 John Erickson.jpg   Erickson, John E.John E. Erickson
    March 14, 1863 – May 25, 1946   
(aged 83)
January 4, 1925

March 13, 1933
(resigned)
Democratic 1924 W. S. McCormack
1928 Frank A. Hazelbaker
1932   Frank Henry Cooney
9 Frank Henry Cooney.jpg Cooney, Frank HenryFrank Henry Cooney
    December 31, 1872 – December 15, 1935   
(aged 62)
March 13, 1933

December 15, 1935
Democratic Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
  Tom Kane
Ernest T. Eaton
  Elmer Holt
10 No image.svg Holt, ElmerElmer Holt
    October 14, 1884 – March 1, 1945   
(aged 60)
December 15, 1935

January 4, 1937
Democratic Succeeded from
President of
the Senate
William P. Pilgeram
11 Roy E. Ayers.jpg Ayers, Roy E.Roy E. Ayers
    November 9, 1882 – May 23, 1955   
(aged 72)
January 4, 1937

January 6, 1941
Democratic 1936 Hugh R. Adair
12 Sam C. Ford.jpg   Ford, Sam C.Sam C. Ford
    November 7, 1882 – November 25, 1961   
(aged 79)
January 6, 1941

January 3, 1949
Republican 1940   Ernest T. Eaton
1944
13 John W. Bonner.jpg   Bonner, John W.John W. Bonner
    July 16, 1902 – March 28, 1970   
(aged 67)
January 3, 1949

January 5, 1953
Democratic 1948   Paul C. Cannon
14 J. Hugo Aronson.jpg   Aronson, J. HugoJ. Hugo Aronson
    September 1, 1891 – February 25, 1978   
(aged 86)
January 5, 1953

January 2, 1961
Republican 1952   George M. Gosman
1956   Paul C. Cannon
15 Donald G. Nutter.jpg Nutter, Donald GrantDonald Grant Nutter
    November 28, 1915 – January 25, 1962   
(aged 46)
January 2, 1961

January 25, 1962
(died in office)
Republican 1960   Tim M. Babcock
16 Tim Babcock.jpg Babcock, TimTim Babcock
    October 27, 1919 – April 7, 2015   
(aged 95)
January 25, 1962

January 6, 1969
Republican Succeeded from
Lieutenant
Governor
  David F. James
1964   Ted James
17 No image.svg   Anderson, Forrest H.Forrest H. Anderson
    January 30, 1913 – July 20, 1989   
(aged 76)
January 6, 1969

January 1, 1973
Democratic 1968   Thomas Lee Judge
18 No image.svg Judge, Thomas LeeThomas Lee Judge
    October 12, 1934 – September 8, 2006   
(aged 71)
January 1, 1973

January 5, 1981
Democratic 1972 Bill Christiansen
1976 Ted Schwinden
19 No image.svg Schwinden, TedTed Schwinden
    (1925-08-31) August 31, 1925 (age 98)
January 5, 1981

January 2, 1989
Democratic 1980 George Turman
1984
Gordon McOmber
20 No image.svg   Stephens, StanStan Stephens
    September 16, 1929 − April 3, 2021   
(aged 91)
January 2, 1989

January 4, 1993
Republican 1988   Allen Kolstad
Denny Rehberg
21 Marc Racicot 2008 (cropped).JPG Racicot, MarcMarc Racicot
    (1948-07-24) July 24, 1948 (age 75)
January 4, 1993

January 1, 2001
Republican 1992
1996 Judy Martz
22 Judy Martz 2003 (cropped).jpg Martz, JudyJudy Martz
    July 28, 1943 – October 30, 2017   
(aged 74)
January 1, 2001

January 3, 2005
Republican 2000 Karl Ohs
23 Brian Schweitzer official photo.jpg   Schweitzer, BrianBrian Schweitzer
    (1955-09-04) September 4, 1955 (age 68)
January 3, 2005

January 7, 2013
Democratic 2004 John Bohlinger
2008
24 Steve Bullock.jpg Bullock, SteveSteve Bullock
    (1966-04-11) April 11, 1966 (age 57)
January 7, 2013

January 4, 2021
Democratic 2012   John Walsh
Angela McLean
2016 Mike Cooney
25 Greg Gianforte 2020.jpg   Gianforte, GregGreg Gianforte
    (1961-04-17) April 17, 1961 (age 62)
January 4, 2021

Incumbent
Republican 2020   Kristen Juras

Succession

Other high offices held

This is a table of the equivalent or higher state and federal offices and other governorships held by governors. All representatives and senators represented Montana. * denotes cases where the governor resigned the governorship to accept the other office.

Other high offices held by Montanans
Governor Gubernatorial term Higher offices held
Toole, JosephJoseph Toole 1889–1893
1901–1908
Territorial Delegate
Dixon, Joseph M.Joseph M. Dixon 1921–1925 U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator
Erickson, John EdwardJohn Edward Erickson 1925–1933 U.S. Senator*
Ford, Sam C.Sam C. Ford 1941–1949 Montana Supreme Court Associate Justice
Stewart, Sam V. Sam V. Stewart 1913-1921 Montana Supreme Court Associate Justice
Ayers, Roy E.Roy E. Ayers 1937–1941 U.S. Representative
Anderson, Forrest H.Forrest H. Anderson 1969–1973 Montana Supreme Court Associate Justice
Bonner, John W.John W. Bonner 1949-1953 Montana Supreme Court Associate Justice
Gianforte, GregGreg Gianforte 2021– U.S. Representative

See also

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