Jon Tester facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jon Tester
United States Senator from Montana
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2007 Serving with Steve Daines
Preceded by	Conrad Burns
Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Richard Blumenthal
Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Michael Bennet
Succeeded by	Chris Van Hollen
Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
In office February 12, 2014 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Maria Cantwell
Succeeded by	John Barrasso
President of the Montana Senate
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Deputy	Dan Harrington
Preceded by	Bob Keenan
Succeeded by	Mike Cooney
Member of the Montana Senate from the 15th district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	???
Succeeded by	Jim Peterson
Member of the Montana Senate from the 45th district
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	???
Succeeded by	Jim Shockley
Personal details
Born	August 21, 1956 (1956-08-21) Havre, Montana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sharla Bitz
Education	University of Great Falls (BA)

Jonathan "Jon" Tester (born August 21, 1956) is the senior United States Senator from Montana, serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Tester was first elected to the Senate in 2006, beating Republican incumbent Conrad Burns in one of the closest Senate races of that year. He won re-election in 2012 against Rep. Denny Rehberg in another close race.

Tester previously served as the president of the Montana Senate and worked as a music teacher and farmer. He became the senior Senator in 2014 when Max Baucus resigned to become U.S. ambassador to China. He is currently the dean of the Montana congressional delegation.

Images for kids

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  Tester during the 110th Congress

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  Tester at a 2013 press conference regarding the government shutdown that year