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List of governors of Montana facts for kids

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Governor of Montana
Flag of Montana.svg
Montana-StateSeal.svg
Greg Gianforte 115th congress.jpg
Incumbent
Greg Gianforte
since January 4, 2021
Government of Montana
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
(135 years ago) (1889-11-08)
Succession Every four years, unless re-elected.
Salary $108,167 (2022)

The governor of Montana is like the main leader of the state of Montana. They are in charge of the state's government and its military forces, called the Montana National Guard.

The governor has several important jobs. They make sure that state laws are followed. They can also approve or reject new laws that the Montana State Legislature passes. The governor can call the legislature together for special meetings at any time. They also have the power to grant pardons, which means forgiving someone for a crime.

Montana has had 24 governors since it became a state. These leaders have come from two main political groups: 9 from the Republican Party and 15 from the Democratic Party.

The governor who served the longest was Joseph Toole. He was governor for a total of 11 years, from 1889 to 1893 and again from 1901 to 1908. He is the only governor to serve terms that were not back-to-back. The shortest-serving governor was Elmer Holt, who was in office for less than 13 months after the previous governor passed away.

The person currently serving as governor is Greg Gianforte. He is a Republican and started his term on January 4, 2021.

Montana's Early Leaders: Territorial Governors

Before Montana became a state, it was a "territory." This means it was an area controlled by the United States government but not yet a full state. Montana Territory was created on May 26, 1864.

During its 35 years as a territory, Montana had nine governors. These governors were chosen by the president of the United States. There were also three acting governors who stepped in when needed. The first acting governor was Thomas Francis Meagher, who served from 1865 to 1867.

Governors of the State of Montana

Montana officially became a state on November 8, 1889. This is called being "admitted to the Union."

Today, the Montana Constitution (which is like the state's rulebook) says that a governor serves for four years. Their term begins on the first Monday in January after they are elected. A rule added in 1992 limits a governor to serving a total of eight years within any 16-year period. This means they can serve two four-year terms, but then they have to wait before running again.

The constitution also says that a lieutenant governor is elected at the same time as the governor. They run together as a team. If the governor leaves office early because they resign, are disqualified, or pass away, the lieutenant governor takes over as governor for the rest of the term. If the governor is temporarily unable to do their job, the lieutenant governor can become acting governor.

Here are some of the people who have served as governor of Montana:

  • Joseph Toole was the very first governor of the state of Montana, serving from 1889 to 1893 and again from 1901 to 1908.
  • John E. Rickards was the second governor, serving from 1893 to 1897.
  • Judy Martz was the first woman to serve as governor of Montana, from 2001 to 2005.
  • Brian Schweitzer served two full terms as governor, from 2005 to 2013.
  • Steve Bullock was governor from 2013 to 2021.
  • The current governor is Greg Gianforte, who took office in 2021.

See also

  • Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Montana
  • First Ladies and Gentlemen of Montana
  • List of Montana state legislatures

Images for kids

  • SEdgerton

    Sidney Edgerton, the first governor of Montana Territory.

  • Green Clay Smith - Brady-Handy

    Green Clay Smith

  • James Mitchell Ashley - Brady-Handy

    James Mitchell Ashley

  • Benjamin F Potts

    Benjamin F. Potts

  • John Schuyler Crosby

    John Schuyler Crosby

  • Benjamin Platt Carpenter (Montana Territorial Governor)

    B. Platt Carpenter

  • Samuel Thomas Hauser

    Samuel Thomas Hauser

  • PHLeslie

    Preston Leslie

  • Benjamin Franklin White (Montana Territory Governor)

    Benjamin F. White

  • JosephKToole

    Joseph K. Toole, the first state governor of Montana.

  • John E Rickards

    John E. Rickards

  • Robert Burns Smith (Montana Governor)

    Robert Burns Smith

  • Edwin L. Norris (Montana Governor)

    Edwin L. Norris

  • Sam V. Stewart

    Sam V. Stewart

  • Joseph M. Dixon

    Joseph M. Dixon

  • John Erickson

    John E. Erickson

  • Frank Henry Cooney

    Frank Henry Cooney

  • W. Elmer Holt (Montana governor)

    Elmer Holt

  • Roy E. Ayers

    Roy E. Ayers

  • Sam C. Ford

    Sam C. Ford

  • John W. Bonner

    John W. Bonner

  • J. Hugo Aronson

    J. Hugo Aronson

  • Donald G. Nutter

    Donald Grant Nutter

  • Tim Babcock

    Tim Babcock

  • Forrest H. Anderson (Montana governor)

    Forrest H. Anderson

  • Montana Governor Thomas Judge

    Thomas Lee Judge

  • Ted-Schwinden-as-Governor

    Ted Schwinden

  • Montana governor Stan Stephens

    Stan Stephens

  • Marc Racicot 2008 (cropped)

    Marc Racicot

  • Judy Martz 2003 (cropped)

    Judy Martz

  • Brian Schweitzer official photo

    Brian Schweitzer

  • Steve Bullock by Gage Skidmore

    Steve Bullock

  • Greg Gianforte in Taiwan (cropped)

    Greg Gianforte, the current governor of Montana.

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