In this post we will looking at Montana and its territories, Its past and present governors and current House of representative’s members.
INTRODUCTION.
Montana is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west; North Dakota and South Dakota to the east; Wyoming to the south; and by the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan to the north. It is the fourth-largest state by area, the eighth-least populous state, and the third-least densely populated state. Its state capital is Helena. The western half of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges, while the eastern half is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands, with smaller mountain ranges found throughout the state. In all, 77 named ranges are part of the Rocky Mountains. Montana has no official nickname but several unofficial ones, most notably “Big Sky Country”, “The Treasure State”, “Land of the Shining Mountains”, and “The Last Best Place”. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, including ranching and cereal grain farming. Other significant economic resources include oil, gas, coal, mining, and lumber. The health care, service, and government sectors are also significant to the state’s economy. Montana’s fastest-growing sector is tourism; nearly 13 million annual tourists visit Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Beartooth Highway, Flathead Lake, Big Sky Resort, and other attractions.
MONTANA TERRITORIES.
Montana is one of the eight Mountain States, located in the north of the region known as the Western United States. It borders North Dakota and South Dakota to the east. Wyoming is to the south, Idaho is to the west and southwest, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are to the north, making it the only state to border three Canadian provinces.
With an area of 147,040 square miles (380,800 km2), Montana is slightly larger than Japan. It is the fourth-largest state in the United States after Alaska, Texas, and California, and the largest landlocked state. The state’s topography is roughly defined by the Continental Divide, which splits much of the state into distinct eastern and western regions. Most of Montana’s hundred or more named mountain ranges are in the state’s western half, most of which is geologically and geographically part of the northern Rocky Mountains. The Absaroka and Beartooth ranges in the state’s south-central part are technically part of the Central Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountain Front is a significant feature in the state’s north-central portion, and isolated island ranges that interrupt the prairie landscape common in the central and eastern parts of the state. About 60 percent of the state is prairie, part of the northern Great Plains.
LIST OF GOVERNORS AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE’S MEMBERS.
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. 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 Montana Territory | |||||||
| # | Image | Governor | Party | Term start | Term end | Appointed by | Notes |
| 1 | Sidney Edgerton April 3, 1833 – November 27, 1899 (aged 66) |
Republican | June 22, 1864 | July 12, 1866 | Abraham 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.[11] | |
| — | Thomas Francis Meagher (acting) 3 August 1823 – 1 July 1867 (aged 43) |
Democratic | September 1865 | October 3, 1866 | — | 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.[12][13][14][15] | |
| 2 | Green Clay Smith July 4, 1826 – June 29, 1895 (aged 68) |
Democratic | October 3, 1866 | April 9, 1869 | Andrew 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.[16][17] | |
| — | James Tufts (acting) September 19, 1829 – August 18, 1884 (aged 54) |
Republican | March 1869 | April 9, 1869 | — | Acted as governor from July 1868, when Green Clay Smith left for Washington, DC to April 1869 when James M. Ashley arrived.[18] | |
| 3 | James Mitchell Ashley November 14, 1824 – September 16, 1896 (aged 71) |
Republican | April 9, 1869 | July 12, 1870 | 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.[19][20] | |
| — | Wiley Scribner (acting) September 6, 1840 – September 28, 1889 (aged 49) |
Republican | December 1869 | August 1870 | — | Acted as governor until arrival of Benjamin F. Potts.[21] | |
| 4 | Benjamin F. Potts January 29, 1836 – June 17, 1887 (aged 51) |
Republican | July 13, 1870 | January 14, 1883 | Ulysses S. Grant | Term expired, July 1882. Potts remained in office until successor J. Schuyler Crosby arrived in Montana in January 1883.[22][23] | |
| 5 | John Schuyler Crosby September 19, 1839 – August 8, 1914 (aged 74) |
Republican | January 15, 1883 | December 15, 1884 | Chester A. Arthur | Resigned to accept appointment as First Assistant Postmaster General.[24] | |
| 6 | B. Platt Carpenter May 14, 1837 – December 24, 1921 (aged 84) |
Republican | December 16, 1884 | July 13, 1885 | Chester A. Arthur | Replaced when Democrat Grover Cleveland succeeded Republican President Chester A. Arthur.[25] | |
| 7 | Samuel Thomas Hauser January 10, 1833 – November 10, 1914 (aged 81) |
Democratic | July 14, 1885 | February 7, 1887 | Grover Cleveland | Resigned in order to concentrate on management of business and banking interests.[26] | |
| 8 | Preston Leslie March 8, 1819 – February 7, 1907 (aged 87) |
Democratic | February 8, 1887 | April 8, 1889 | Grover 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.[27][28] | |
| 9 | Benjamin F. White December 3, 1838 – December 4, 1920 (aged 82) |
Republican | April 9, 1889 | November 8, 1889 | Benjamin Harrison | Term ended when Montana attained statehood. Later served as Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives and a member of the Montana Senate.[29] |
| Governors of Montana | |||||||
| # | Image | Governor | Party | Took office | Left office | Lt. Governor and Term | Notes |
| 1 | Joseph Toole May 12, 1851 – March 11, 1929 (aged 77) |
Democratic | November 8, 1889 | January 1, 1893 | John E. Rickards (Rep) – 1 | [30] | |
| 2 | John E. Rickards July 23, 1848 – December 26, 1927 (aged 79) |
Republican | January 2, 1893 | January 3, 1897 | Alexander C. Botkin (Rep) – 2 | ||
| 3 | Robert Burns Smith December 29, 1854 – November 16, 1908 (aged 53) |
Democratic | January 4, 1897 | January 7, 1901 | A. E. Spriggs (Pop) – 3 | ||
| 4 | Joseph Toole May 12, 1851 – March 11, 1929 (aged 77) |
Democratic | January 7, 1901 | April 1, 1908 | Frank G. Higgins (Dem) – 4 Edwin L. Norris (Dem) – 5 | Resigned due to declining health. | |
| 5 | Edwin L. Norris August 15, 1865 – April 25, 1924 (aged 58) |
Democratic | April 1, 1908 | January 5, 1913 | Benjamin F. White (Rep) – 5 William R. Allen (Rep) – 6 | As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right. | |
| 6 | Sam V. Stewart August 2, 1872 – September 15, 1939 (aged 67) |
Democratic | January 6, 1913 | January 2, 1921 | W.W. McDowell (Dem) – 7, 8 | ||
| 7 | Joseph M. Dixon July 31, 1867 – May 22, 1934 (aged 66) |
Republican | January 3, 1921 | January 4, 1925 | Nelson Story, Jr. (Rep) – 9 | [31] | |
| 8 | John E. Erickson March 14, 1863 – May 25, 1946 (aged 83) |
Democratic | January 4, 1925 | March 13, 1933 | W. S. McCormack (Rep) – 10 Frank A. Hazelbaker (Rep) – 11 Frank Henry Cooney (Dem) – 12 | Resigned so that his successor would appoint him to the United States Senate. | |
| 9 | Frank Henry Cooney December 31, 1872 – December 15, 1935 (aged 62) |
Democratic | March 13, 1933 | December 15, 1935 | Tom Kane (Rep) – 12 Ernest T. Eaton (Rep) – 12 Elmer Holt (Dem) – 12 | As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term. Died in office. | |
| 10 | Elmer Holt October 14, 1884 – March 1, 1945 (aged 60) |
Democratic | December 15, 1935 | January 4, 1937 | William P. Pilgeram (Dem) – 12 | As president of the state senate, filled unexpired term. | |
| 11 | Roy E. Ayers November 9, 1882 – May 23, 1955 (aged 72) |
Democratic | January 4, 1937 | January 6, 1941 | Hugh R. Adair (Dem) – 13 | ||
| 12 | Sam C. Ford November 7, 1882 – November 25, 1961 (aged 79) |
Republican | January 6, 1941 | January 3, 1949 | Ernest T. Eaton (Rep) – 14, 15 | ||
| 13 | John W. Bonner July 16, 1902 – March 28, 1970 (aged 67) |
Democratic | January 3, 1949 | January 5, 1953 | Paul Cannon (Dem) – 16 | ||
| 14 | J. Hugo Aronson September 1, 1891 – February 25, 1978 (aged 86) |
Republican | January 5, 1953 | January 2, 1961 | George M. Gosman (Rep) – 17 Paul Cannon (Dem) – 18 | [32] | |
| 15 | Donald Grant Nutter November 28, 1915 – January 25, 1962 (aged 46) |
Republican | January 2, 1961 | January 25, 1962 | Tim M. Babcock (Rep) – 19 | Died in office. | |
| 16 | Tim Babcock October 27, 1919 – April 7, 2015 (aged 95) |
Republican | January 25, 1962 | January 6, 1969 | David F. James (Dem) – 19 Ted James (Rep) – 20 | As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right. | |
| 17 | Forrest H. Anderson January 30, 1913 – July 20, 1989 (aged 76) |
Democratic | January 6, 1969 | January 1, 1973 | Thomas Lee Judge (Dem) – 21 | ||
| 18 | Thomas Lee Judge October 12, 1934 – September 8, 2006 (aged 71) |
Democratic | January 1, 1973 | January 5, 1981 | Bill Christiansen (Dem) – 22 Ted Schwinden (Dem) – 23 | ||
| 19 | Ted Schwinden August 31, 1925 (age 96) |
Democratic | January 5, 1981 | January 2, 1989 | George Turman (Dem) – 24, 25 | ||
| 20 | Stan Stephens September 16, 1929 − April 3, 2021 (aged 91) |
Republican | January 2, 1989 | January 4, 1993 | Allen Kolstad (Rep) – 26 Denny Rehberg (Rep) – 26 | ||
| 21 | Marc Racicot July 24, 1948 (age 73) |
Republican | January 4, 1993 | January 1, 2001 | Denny Rehberg (Rep) – 27 Judy Martz (Rep) – 28 | [33][34] | |
| 22 | Judy Martz July 28, 1943 – October 30, 2017 (aged 74) |
Republican | January 1, 2001 | January 3, 2005 | Karl Ohs (Rep) – 29 | [35] | |
| 23 | Brian Schweitzer September 4, 1955 (age 66) |
Democratic | January 3, 2005 | January 7, 2013 | John Bohlinger (Rep) – 30, 31 | ||
| 24 | Steve Bullock April 11, 1966 (age 56) |
Democratic | January 7, 2013 | January 4, 2021 | John Walsh (Dem) – 32 Angela McLean (Dem) – 32 Mike Cooney (Dem) – 32, 33 | ||
| 25 | Greg Gianforte April 17, 1961 (age 61) |
Republican | January 4, 2021 | Incumbent[36] | Kristen Juras (Rep) – 34 |
MEMBERS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE U.S. HOUSE FROM MONTANA
The following is an alphabetical list of members of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Montana. For chronological tables of members of both houses of the United States Congress from the state (through the present day), see United States congressional delegations from Montana. The list of names should be complete (as of May 25, 2017), but other data may be incomplete. It includes members who have represented both the state and the territory, both past and present.
List of members and delegate
| Member/Delegate | Years | Party | District | Notes |
| LeRoy H. Anderson | January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1961 | Democratic | 2nd | Elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Roy E. Ayers | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1937 | Democratic | 2nd | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Retired to run for Governor of Montana. |
| James F. Battin | January 3, 1961 – February 27, 1969 | Republican | 2nd | Elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Resigned to become judge of the U.S. District Court of Montana. |
| Max Baucus | January 3, 1975 – December 14, 1978 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Retired to run for U.S. senator and resigned when appointed to that seat. |
| Albert J. Campbell | March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1901 | Democratic | At-large | Elected in 1898. Retired. |
| Thomas Henry Carter | March 4, 1889 – November 8, 1889 | Republican | Territory | Elected in 1888. Position eliminated upon statehood. |
| November 8, 1889 – March 3, 1891 | At-large | Elected in 1889. Lost re-election to W.W. Dixon. |
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| James M. Cavanaugh | March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871 | Democratic | Territory | Elected in 1866. Re-elected in 1868. Lost renomination to Edwin W. Toole. |
| William H. Clagett | March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 | Republican | Territory | Elected in 1871. Lost re-election to Maginnis. |
| Wesley A. D’Ewart | June 5, 1945 – January 3, 1955 | Republican | 2nd | Elected to finish O’Connor’s term. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Steve Daines | January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 2012. Retired to run for U.S. Senate. |
| Joseph M. Dixon | March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1907 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Retired to run for U.S. Senate. |
| William W. Dixon | March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893 | Democratic | At-large | Elected in 1890. Lost re-election to Hartman. |
| Caldwell Edwards | March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903 | Populist | At-large | Elected in 1900. Retired. |
| John M. Evans | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1919 | Democratic | At-large | Elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Redistricted to the 1st district. |
| March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1921 | 1st | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1918. Lost re-election to McCormick. |
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| March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1933 | Elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Lost renomination to Monaghan. |
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| Orvin B. Fjare | January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1957 | Republican | 2nd | Elected in 1954. Lost re-election to Anderson. |
| Greg Gianforte | May 25, 2017 – January 3, 2021 | Republican | At-large | Elected to finish Zinke’s term. Re-elected in 2018. Retired to successfully run for Governor of Montana. |
| Charles S. Hartman | March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1897 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. |
| March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899 | Silver Republican | Re-elected in 1896 as a Silver Republican. Retired. |
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| Rick Hill | January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2001 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired. |
| Scott Leavitt | March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1933 | Republican | 2nd | Elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Lost re-election to Ayers. |
| Martin Maginnis | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1885 | Democratic | Territory | Elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Re-elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Re-elected in 1882. Retired. |
| Mike Mansfield | January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1953 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Ron Marlenee | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1993 | Republican | 2nd | Elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Redistricted to the at-large district and lost re-election to Williams. |
| Washington J. McCormick | March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1923 | Republican | 1st | Elected in 1920. Lost re-election to Evans. |
| Samuel McLean | January 6, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | Democratic | Territory | Elected in 1864. Re-elected in 1865. Retired. |
| John Melcher | June 24, 1969 – January 3, 1977 | Democratic | 2nd | Elected to finish Battin’s term. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Lee Metcalf | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1961 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Joseph P. Monaghan | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1937 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Jerry J. O’Connell | January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1936. Lost re-election to Thorkelson. |
| James F. O’Connor | January 3, 1937 – January 15, 1945 | Democratic | 2nd | Elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Died. |
| Arnold Olsen | January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1971 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Lost re-election to Shoup. |
| Charles Nelson Pray | March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1913 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Lost re-election to Evans. |
| Jeannette Rankin | March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1919 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 1916. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1943 | 1st | Elected in 1940. Retired. |
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| Dennis Rehberg | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2013 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Carl W. Riddick | March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923 | Republican | 2nd | Elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Matt Rosendale | January 3, 2021 – present | Republican | At-large | Elected in 2020. |
| Richard G. Shoup | January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1975 | Republican | 1st | Elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Lost re-election to Baucus. |
| Tom Stout | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1917 | Democratic | At-large | Elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Retired. |
| Jacob Thorkelson | January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1941 | Republican | 1st | Elected in 1938. Lost renomination to Rankin. |
| Joseph Toole | March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1889 | Democratic | Territory | Elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Retired. |
| Pat Williams | January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1993 | Democratic | 1st | Elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Redistricted to the at-large seat. |
| January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1997 | At-large | Redistricted from the 1st district. and Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Retired. |
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| Ryan Zinke | January 3, 2015 – March 1, 2017 | Republican | At-large | Elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Resigned to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior. |