List of governors of Montana

The Governor of Montana is the head of the executive branch of Montana's state government[2] and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.[3]

Governor of Montana
Great Seal of Montana.svg
Greg Gianforte 2020.jpg
Incumbent
Greg Gianforte

since January 4, 2021
StyleThe Honorable
ResidenceMontana Governor's Residence
Term lengthFour years, renewable once (limited to eight years in a sixteen year period)
Constituting instrumentMontana Constitution of 1889
Inaugural holderJoseph K. Toole
FormationNovember 8, 1889
(134 years ago)
 (1889-11-08)
SuccessionEvery four years, unless re-elected.
Salary$108,167 (2013)[1]

The governor has a duty to enforce state laws,[2] the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Montana State Legislature,[4] to convene the legislature at any time,[5] and to grant pardons and reprieves.[6]

Governors of Montana

Parties

Dem Democratic (15) Rep Republican (10)

Governors of Montana
# Image Governor Party Took office Left office Lt. Governor and Term Notes
1   Toole, JosephJoseph Toole Dem November 8, 1889 January 1, 1893 [7]
2   Rickards, John E.John E. Rickards Rep January 2, 1893 January 3, 1897
  • Alexander C. Botkin (Rep) – 2
3   Smith, Robert BurnsRobert Burns Smith Dem January 4, 1897 January 7, 1901
  • A. E. Spriggs (Dem) – 3
4   Toole, JosephJoseph Toole Dem January 7, 1901 April 1, 1908 Resigned due to declining health.
5   Norris, Edwin L.Edwin L. Norris Dem April 1, 1908 January 5, 1913 As lieutenant governor, filled unexpired term, and was later elected in his own right.
6   Stewart, Sam V.Sam V. Stewart Dem January 6, 1913 January 2, 1921
7   Dixon, Joseph M.Joseph M. Dixon Rep January 3, 1921 January 4, 1925
  • Nelson Story, Jr. (Rep) - 9
[8]
8   Erickson, John E.John E. Erickson Dem January 4, 1925 March 13, 1933 Resigned so that his successor would appoint him to the United States Senate.
9   Cooney, Frank HenryFrank Henry Cooney Dem 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 while governor.
10   Holt, ElmerElmer Holt Dem December 15, 1935 January 4, 1937
  • William P. Pilgeram (Dem) - 12
As president of the state senate, filled unexpired term.
11   Ayers, Roy E.Roy E. Ayers Dem January 4, 1937 January 6, 1941
  • Hugh R. Adair (Dem) - 13
12   Ford, Sam C.Sam C. Ford Rep January 6, 1941 January 3, 1949
  • Ernest T. Eaton (Rep) - 14, 15
13   Bonner, John W.John W. Bonner Dem January 3, 1949 January 5, 1953
  • Paul Cannon (Dem) - 16
14   Aronson, J. HugoJ. Hugo Aronson Rep January 5, 1953 January 2, 1961
  • George M. Gosman (Rep) - 17
  • Paul Cannon (Dem) - 18
[9]
15   Nutter, Donald GrantDonald Grant Nutter Rep January 2, 1961 January 25, 1962 Died in office.
16   Babcock, Tim M.Tim M. Babcock Rep 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   Anderson, Forrest H.Forrest H. Anderson Dem January 6, 1969 January 1, 1973
18   Judge, Thomas LeeThomas Lee Judge Dem January 1, 1973 January 5, 1981
19   Schwinden, TedTed Schwinden Dem January 5, 1981 January 2, 1989
20   Stephens, StanStan Stephens Rep January 2, 1989 January 4, 1993
21   Racicot, MarcMarc Racicot Rep January 4, 1993 January 1, 2001 [10][11]
22   Martz, JudyJudy Martz Rep January 1, 2001 January 3, 2005 [12]
23   Schweitzer, BrianBrian Schweitzer Dem January 3, 2005 January 7, 2013
24   Bullock, SteveSteve Bullock Dem January 7, 2013 January 4, 2021
25   Gianforte, GregGreg Gianforte Rep January 4, 2021 Incumbent

List Of Governors Of Montana Media

References

  1. "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries". The Council of State Governments. June 25, 2013. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 4.
  3. Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 7.
  4. Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 10.
  5. Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 11.
  6. Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 12.
  7. Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Joseph K. Toole". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  8. Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Joseph M. Dixon". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  9. Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: J. Hugo Aronson". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  10. Lewis, Charles (December 20, 2001). The GOP's New Lobbyist in Chief. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A3911-2001Dec19. Retrieved July 23, 2011. 
  11. Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Marc Racicot". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  12. Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Judy Martz". Great Falls Tribune. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2011.