Jon Tester facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jon Tester
Official portrait, 2014
United States Senator from Montana
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Conrad Burns
Succeeded by	Tim Sheehy
Committee positions Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Jerry Moran Succeeded by Jerry Moran Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee In office January 3, 2017 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Richard Blumenthal Succeeded by Jerry Moran 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 Indian Affairs Committee 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
In office January 4, 1999 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Loren Jenkins
Succeeded by	Jim Peterson
Constituency	45th (1999–2005) 15th (2005–2007)
Personal details
Born	Raymond Jon Tester (1956-08-21) August 21, 1956 (age 68) Havre, Montana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sharla Bitz ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	3
Education	College of Great Falls (BA)
Signature

Jon Tester (born August 21, 1956) is an American politician and farmer. He served as a U.S. Senator for Montana from 2007 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Before becoming a U.S. Senator, Tester was part of the Montana Senate from 1999 to 2007. He was even its president from 2005 to 2007. After leaving the Senate, he became a political analyst for MSNBC.

Early Life and Farming

Jon Tester was born in Havre, Montana, on August 21, 1956. He grew up on his family's farm near Big Sandy, Montana. His grandfather started the farm in 1912. When he was nine, he had an accident and lost three fingers on his left hand.

In 1978, Tester earned a degree in music from the University of Providence. He then taught music for two years in Big Sandy. After that, he returned to his family's farm and butcher shop. He and his wife still run the farm today. In the 1980s, they started using organic farming methods.

Tester also served as chairman of the Big Sandy School Board for five years. He was involved with local agricultural committees too.

Montana State Senate

Serving Montana

Tester was first elected to the Montana Senate in 1998. Before this, he spent ten years on the Big Sandy school board. In 2001, he became the minority whip. This is a leader who helps gather votes for their party.

He was reelected in 2002 with a large majority of votes. In 2003, he became the minority leader. In 2005, Tester was chosen as the president of the Montana Senate. This made him the main leader of the state's upper legislative house.

Key Achievements

When Tester became Senate president, it was a big moment for Montana Democrats. It was the first time in over ten years they led the Senate. Tester helped create a program for prescription drug benefits. He also brought back the "Made in Montana" program. This program helps promote products made in the state.

He supported a law to encourage renewable energy development. Tester also helped pass a bill that greatly increased funding for public schools.

U.S. Senate (2007–2025)

First Election in 2006

Tester during the 110th Congress

In 2005, Tester announced he would run for the U.S. Senate. He challenged the Republican Senator Conrad Burns. Tester won the Democratic nomination in June 2006. He gained support by focusing on local efforts.

In the general election in November, Tester narrowly defeated Burns. It was one of the closest Senate races that year.

Reelection Campaigns

2012 Election

U.S. Senate results by county for Montana in 2012

Tester ran for a second term in 2012. He was challenged by Republican U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg. This election was very important for both political parties. Tester sometimes disagreed with his own party on issues like the Keystone XL oil pipeline. However, he voted with Democrats on major laws like the Affordable Care Act.

Tester won reelection, defeating Rehberg.

2018 Election

Tester won a third term in 2018. He defeated Republican Matt Rosendale. This election had a very high voter turnout. Even though more Republicans voted in the state, Tester won. He had strong support from Native Americans, women, and young voters.

2024 Election

Tester speaks in front of the Capitol about the Major Richard Star Act that provides disabled veteran's retirement benefits, 2024

Tester sought a fourth Senate term in 2024. This election was seen as very important for Democrats to keep their majority in the Senate. Montana is often considered a "red state," meaning it usually votes Republican. Tester was one of the last Democrats to hold a statewide office there.

In the 2024 election, Tester lost to Republican nominee Tim Sheehy. His term ended on January 3, 2025.

Time in Office

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

During his time in the Senate, Tester was given a seat on the important Appropriations Committee in 2009. This committee decides how government money is spent. In 2013, he became chairman of a subcommittee focused on banking and investments.

Tester was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This was when supporters of President Trump stormed the building. Tester and his staff were evacuated to a safe place. He called the event a "dangerous attack on our democracy."

Committee Roles

Senator Tester chairing the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

As a Senator, Tester served on several key committees:

• Committee on Appropriations (which handles government spending)
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Committee on Indian Affairs
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs (he was the chairman of this committee)

Political Views

Tester meets with constituents in Lewistown, Montana in 2024

Jon Tester is often seen as a moderate Democrat. This means his views are sometimes in the middle, not always strictly following his party's line. He is known for being a "pro-gun, anti-big-business" politician. He focuses on practical solutions for Montana.

Economy and Jobs

Tester visits manufacturing facility of West Paws in Bozeman, Montana

Tester supported a bill in 2018 that changed some banking rules. He believed it would help small and regional banks lend money more easily. He was one of the few Democrats to support this bill.

Environment

Tester receives the Trust for Public Land's Trailblazer Award

Tester has worked on environmental issues important to Montana. He has tried to find ways to balance conservation with local industries like timber. He also supported hunting wolves again in Montana.

Gun Rights

Tester owns guns and has generally supported gun rights. In 2012, the NRA Political Victory Fund gave him a high rating. However, this rating changed in 2018 after some of his votes.

He voted against a proposal in 2016 that would have required background checks for all gun sales. He said it would stop family members from selling guns to each other. He did vote for a proposal to ban gun sales to people on the terrorist watch list.

Healthcare

Tester supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He voted for it in 2009 and 2010.

In 2017, he said that Democrats should think about a single-payer health care system. He also said that healthcare needed changes. He believed these changes should be made in a way that both parties could agree on.

Immigration

Tester visits Stevensville's Skyfish a producer of drones used for border patrol activity

In 2010, Tester voted against the DREAM Act. This bill would have created a path to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. He said he did not support laws that give citizenship to people in the country illegally.

However, in 2017, he criticized President Trump for ending a program called DACA. This program protected young immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Tester said it was "ill-informed" and "rips families apart."

LGBTQ+ Rights

Tester voted to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 2010. This policy prevented openly gay people from serving in the military. While he initially opposed same-sex marriage, he announced his support for it in 2013. He said he was concerned about the federal government having too much power. He also voted for the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022.

Privacy

Tester has been a strong supporter of privacy rights. He opposed parts of the Patriot Act. This law allowed the government to collect large amounts of data. He voted against confirming some officials who supported these data collection programs. In 2015, he joined a long protest against renewing parts of the Patriot Act.

Supreme Court

Tester opposed the Supreme Court decision Citizens United. This decision allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited money on political groups. He believed it was bad for American democracy.

He voted to confirm Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. He voted against Trump's nominees Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. He voted to confirm President Biden's nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Veterans Affairs

Tester announces that he will attach the Major Richard Star Act, which assists disabled veterans, to the 2025 NDAA bill

As a leader on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester worked to help veterans. In 2018, he raised concerns about a nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There were questions about the nominee's conduct. Tester's actions were defended by the Republican chairman of the committee.

After the Senate

After leaving the Senate in January 2025, Tester said he would continue working on his farm. He also co-hosts a podcast with a journalist. In May 2025, Tester joined MSNBC as a political analyst. He appears on their shows to share his political insights.

Personal Life

Tester checks the chisel plow's hydraulic cylinder on his north-central Montana farm.

Jon Tester married Sharla Bitz in 1978. They have three children. He is connected with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).

Before he was elected to the Senate, Tester had always lived close to his farm in Montana. He also owns a home in Washington, D.C. He is known for bringing his own meat from his farm to Washington.

Images for kids

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  Jon Tester's signature

See also

In Spanish: Jon Tester para niños