Mike Cooney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mike Cooney
Cooney in 2017
36th Lieutenant Governor of Montana
In office January 4, 2016 – January 4, 2021
Governor	Steve Bullock
Preceded by	Angela McLean
Succeeded by	Kristen Juras
President of the Montana Senate
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Jon Tester
Succeeded by	Robert Story
Member of the Montana Senate from the 40th district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Angela McLean
Succeeded by	Mary Caferro
Member of the Montana Senate from the 26th district
In office January 13, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Mignon Waterman
Succeeded by	Lynda Moss
17th Secretary of State of Montana
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001
Governor	Stan Stephens Marc Racicot Judy Martz
Preceded by	Verner Bertelsen
Succeeded by	Bob Brown
Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 83rd district
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Al Luebeck
Succeeded by	Dave Brown
Personal details
Born	(1954-09-03) September 3, 1954 (age 70) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	DeeAnn Gribble
Children	3
Relatives	Frank Henry Cooney (grandfather)
Education	University of Montana (BS)

Michael R. "Mike" Cooney (born September 3, 1954) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He has held many important jobs in Montana's government. He was the 36th lieutenant governor of Montana from 2016 to 2021.

Over his long career, Cooney also served in the Montana House of Representatives and the Montana Senate. He was Montana's Secretary of State for twelve years. In 2020, he was the Democratic nominee for governor of Montana but lost the election to Greg Gianforte.

Early Life and School

Mike Cooney was born in Washington, D.C., but he grew up in Butte, Montana. Politics was in his family. His grandfather, Frank Henry Cooney, was Montana's governor from 1933 to 1935.

As a kid, Cooney played the drums in local bands. He also worked for his family's business. After graduating from Butte High School in 1972, he went to the University of Montana. At first, he wanted to be a TV news reporter.

A Start in Politics

Before starting college, Cooney worked at a TV station in Butte. There, he met a politician named Max Baucus, who was running for the Montana House of Representatives. Cooney was so impressed that he decided to help with Baucus's next campaign for the U.S. Congress in 1974.

Cooney took a break from his studies to work for the campaign. He traveled around Montana to prepare towns for Baucus's visits. He loved the experience and said, "I decided right then and there that's what I wanted to do."

After Baucus won the election, Cooney returned to college. He changed his major to Political Science.

Career in Government

Montana House of Representatives

In 1976, a spot opened up in the Montana House of Representatives for his home county. Cooney, who was only 21, decided to run for the seat. He campaigned by knocking on doors, which was not common back then. He won the election and, at age 22, became one of the youngest state legislators in Montana's history.

One of his proudest achievements in the State House was a law he sponsored in 1977. The law said that Montana would handle its own nuclear waste but would not accept it from other states. He served two terms and decided not to run for re-election in 1980 to focus on a full-time job.

Secretary of State

After working for Senator Baucus for several years, Cooney ran for Secretary of State of Montana in 1988. The Secretary of State is in charge of elections and official records. He won in a surprise victory.

Cooney served as Secretary of State for three terms, from 1989 to 2001. He said his goal was to be fair to everyone, no matter their political party. He was proud of making his office run more like a business, using fees for its services instead of tax money. He also worked to increase the number of people voting in elections.

Because of term limits (a rule that says how long someone can hold an office), he could not run for a fourth term.

Running for Governor in 2000

In 2000, Cooney decided to run for Governor of Montana. He campaigned on improving the economy, making education a top priority, and protecting Montana's environment. He competed against two other people in the Democratic primary election but did not win his party's nomination.

After leaving his Secretary of State job in 2001, he worked for a non-profit group called Montana Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.

Montana State Senate

Cooney returned to politics in 2002 when he was elected to the Montana Senate. He represented the city of Helena. In 2007, his fellow Democrats chose him to be the President of the Senate. This is a leadership role where he helped guide the lawmaking process. He served in the Senate until 2011.

Working for the State

Cooney in 2015

After his time in the Senate, Cooney took on other important roles. He worked for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. This department helps people find jobs and supports businesses.

He was also the temporary director of the Montana Historical Society for about a year. In 2015, he became the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry.

Lieutenant Governor of Montana

In December 2015, Governor Steve Bullock chose Cooney to be the new lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor is like a vice president for the state. Cooney was sworn into office on January 4, 2016.

Cooney and Bullock ran for re-election together in 2016 and won. They served until January 2021.

2020 Election for Governor

With Governor Bullock unable to run again due to term limits, Cooney announced he would run for governor in 2020. He won the Democratic primary election in June.

In the main election in November 2020, he ran against Republican Greg Gianforte. Cooney lost the election, and Gianforte became the new governor.

Election Results

2020 Montana Governor Election