Guardians of the Big Sky
An authoritative exploration of Montana's governors, from territorial leaders to the present day, detailing their terms, parties, and contributions to the state's history.
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The Office of Governor
Head of State
The Governor of Montana serves as the chief executive of the state government and the commander-in-chief of Montana's military forces. This pivotal role involves enforcing state laws, wielding the power to approve or veto legislation passed by the Montana State Legislature, convening the legislature when necessary, and exercising the authority to grant pardons and reprieves.
Term and Succession
Governors serve four-year terms, with a constitutional limit restricting them to eight years of service within any sixteen-year period. The Lieutenant Governor, elected on the same ticket, assumes the governorship in the event of a vacancy due to resignation, disqualification, or death, or acts as governor if the legislature deems the governor unable to perform duties.
Historical Overview
Montana has been led by 24 distinct governors since achieving statehood. The political landscape has seen a prevalence of Democratic governors, with 15 individuals from that party holding the office, compared to 9 Republicans. Joseph Toole holds the record for the longest tenure, serving over 11 years across two non-consecutive terms, while Elmer Holt served the shortest duration.
Territorial Governance
Prior to statehood, Montana existed as a territory, governed by individuals appointed by the President of the United States. This period, spanning 35 years, saw nine appointed governors and three acting governors, each navigating the unique challenges of frontier development and federal administration.
Appointed Leadership
Montana Territory was officially organized on May 26, 1864. During its existence, nine individuals were formally appointed as governors. Additionally, several territorial secretaries served as acting governors during transitional periods or when appointed governors were delayed in assuming office. Thomas Francis Meagher notably served as acting governor from 1865 to 1867.
No. | Governor | Term in office[a] | Appointed by | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Sidney Edgerton (1818โ1900)[11] |
June 22, 1864[b] โ July 13, 1866 (successor appointed)[c] |
Abraham Lincoln |
2 | ![]() |
Green Clay Smith (1826โ1895)[15] |
July 13, 1866[d] โ April 9, 1869 (resigned)[e] |
Andrew Johnson |
3 | ![]() |
James Mitchell Ashley (1824โ1896)[20] |
April 9, 1869[f] โ December 17, 1869 (removed)[g] |
Ulysses S. Grant |
4 | ![]() |
Benjamin F. Potts (1836โ1887)[25] |
July 13, 1870[h] โ August 4, 1882 (successor appointed)[i] |
Ulysses S. Grant |
Rutherford B. Hayes | ||||
5 | ![]() |
John Schuyler Crosby (1839โ1914)[31] |
August 4, 1882[j] โ November 11, 1884 (resigned)[k] |
Chester A. Arthur |
6 | ![]() |
B. Platt Carpenter (1837โ1921)[34] |
December 22, 1884[l] โ July 3, 1885 (removed)[m] |
Chester A. Arthur |
7 | ![]() |
Samuel Thomas Hauser (1833โ1914)[38] |
May 14, 1886[n] โ January 13, 1887 (resigned)[o] |
Grover Cleveland |
8 | ![]() |
Preston Leslie (1819โ1907)[41] |
January 13, 1887[p] โ March 27, 1889 (successor appointed) |
Grover Cleveland |
9 | ![]() |
Benjamin F. White (1838โ1920)[44] |
March 27, 1889[q] โ November 8, 1889 (statehood) |
Benjamin Harrison |
State Governors
Upon Montana's admission to the Union on November 8, 1889, the office of Governor transitioned to an elected position under the state constitution. The current constitution, ratified in 1972, mandates a four-year term for the governor, commencing on the first Monday in January following an election. A subsequent amendment limits governors to eight years within a sixteen-year period.
Constitutional Framework
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected as a ticket. The constitution outlines the line of succession and the procedures for acting governorship, ensuring continuity of leadership. The governor's powers include legislative influence, executive order authority, and the administration of state agencies.
No. | Governor | Term in office | Party | Election | Lt. Governor[r] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Joseph Toole (1851โ1929)[51][52] |
November 8, 1889[53] โ January 2, 1893 (did not run)[51] |
Democratic[54] | 1889 | John E. Rickards[s] | |||
2 | ![]() |
John E. Rickards (1848โ1927)[55][56] |
January 2, 1893[57] โ January 4, 1897 (did not run) |
Republican[54] | 1892 | Alexander Campbell Botkin | ||
3 | ![]() |
Robert Burns Smith (1854โ1908)[58][59] |
January 4, 1897[60] โ January 7, 1901 (did not run)[58] |
Fusion[t] | 1896 | Archibald E. Spriggs[u] | ||
4 | Joseph Toole (1851โ1929)[51][52] |
January 7, 1901[62] โ April 1, 1908 (resigned)[v] |
Democratic[54] | 1900 | Frank G. Higgins | |||
1904 | Edwin L. Norris | |||||||
5 | ![]() |
Edwin L. Norris (1865โ1924)[63][64] |
April 1, 1908[65] โ January 6, 1913 (did not run) |
Democratic[54] | 1908 | Benjamin F. White[s] | ||
1912 | William Allen[s] | |||||||
6 | ![]() |
Sam V. Stewart (1872โ1939)[66][67] |
January 6, 1913[68] โ January 3, 1921 (did not run) |
Democratic[54] | 1912 | W. W. McDowell | ||
1916 | ||||||||
7 | ![]() |
Joseph M. Dixon (1867โ1934)[69][70] |
January 3, 1921[71] โ January 5, 1925 (lost election) |
Republican[54] | 1920 | Nelson Story Jr. | ||
8 | ![]() |
John E. Erickson (1863โ1946)[72][73] |
January 5, 1925[74] โ March 13, 1933 (resigned)[w] |
Democratic[54] | 1924 | W. S. McCormack[s] | ||
1928 | Frank A. Hazelbaker[s] | |||||||
1932 | Frank Henry Cooney | |||||||
9 | ![]() |
Frank Henry Cooney (1872โ1935)[75][76] |
December 15, 1935[77] โ December 15, 1935 (died in office) |
Democratic[54] | Succeeded from lieutenant governor |
Tom Kane[s] | ||
Ernest T. Eaton[s] | ||||||||
Elmer Holt | ||||||||
10 | ![]() |
Elmer Holt (1884โ1945)[78][79] |
December 15, 1935[80] โ January 4, 1937 (lost nomination)[78] |
Democratic[54] | Succeeded from president of the Senate |
William P. Pilgeram | ||
11 | ![]() |
Roy E. Ayers (1882โ1955)[81][82] |
January 4, 1937[83] โ January 6, 1941 (lost election) |
Democratic[54] | 1936 | Hugh R. Adair | ||
12 | ![]() |
Sam C. Ford (1882โ1961)[84][85] |
January 6, 1941[86] โ January 3, 1949 (lost election) |
Republican[54] | 1940 | Ernest T. Eaton | ||
1944 | ||||||||
13 | ![]() |
John W. Bonner (1902โ1970)[87][88] |
January 3, 1949[89] โ January 5, 1953 (lost election) |
Democratic[54] | 1948 | Paul C. Cannon | ||
14 | ![]() |
J. Hugo Aronson (1891โ1978)[90][91] |
January 5, 1953[92] โ January 2, 1961 (did not run) |
Republican[54] | 1952 | George M. Gosman | ||
1956 | Paul C. Cannon[x] | |||||||
15 | ![]() |
Donald Grant Nutter (1915โ1962)[93][94] |
January 2, 1961[95] โ January 25, 1962 (died in office) |
Republican[54] | 1960 | Tim Babcock | ||
16 | ![]() |
Tim Babcock (1919โ2015)[96][97] |
January 25, 1962[98] โ January 6, 1969 (lost election) |
Republican[54] | 1964 | Succeeded from lieutenant governor |
David F. James[x] | |
1968 | Ted James | |||||||
17 | ![]() |
Forrest H. Anderson (1913โ1989)[99][100] |
January 6, 1969[101] โ January 1, 1973 (did not run)[99] |
Democratic[54] | 1968 | Thomas Lee Judge | ||
18 | ![]() |
Thomas Lee Judge (1934โ2006)[102][103] |
January 1, 1973[104] โ January 5, 1981 (lost nomination) |
Democratic[54] | 1972 | Bill Christiansen | ||
1976 | Ted Schwinden | |||||||
19 | ![]() |
Ted Schwinden (1925โ2023)[105] |
January 5, 1981[106] โ January 2, 1989 (did not run) |
Democratic[105] | 1980 | George Turman | ||
1984 | ||||||||
Gordon McOmber | ||||||||
20 | ![]() |
Stan Stephens (1929โ2021)[107] |
January 2, 1989[108] โ January 4, 1993 (did not run) |
Republican[107] | 1988 | Allen Kolstad | ||
1992 | Denny Rehberg | |||||||
21 | Marc Racicot (b. 1948)[109] |
January 4, 1993[110] โ January 2, 2001 (term-limited)[y] |
Republican[109] | 1996 | Judy Martz | |||
22 | ![]() |
Judy Martz (1943โ2017)[112] |
January 2, 2001[113] โ January 3, 2005 (did not run) |
Republican[112] | 2000 | Karl Ohs | ||
23 | ![]() |
Brian Schweitzer (b. 1955)[114] |
January 3, 2005[115] โ January 7, 2013 (term-limited)[y] |
Democratic[114] | 2004 | John Bohlinger[s] | ||
2008 | ||||||||
24 | ![]() |
Steve Bullock (b. 1966)[116] |
January 7, 2013[117] โ January 4, 2021 (term-limited)[y] |
Democratic[116] | 2012 | John Walsh | ||
Angela McLean | ||||||||
2016 | Mike Cooney | |||||||
25 | ![]() |
Greg Gianforte (b. 1961)[118] |
January 4, 2021[119] โ Incumbent[z] |
Republican[118] | 2020 | Kristen Juras | ||
2024 |
Gubernatorial Timeline
Visualizing the succession of Montana's governors provides a clear historical perspective on the state's leadership evolution.
Historical Progression
The timeline below illustrates the sequence of individuals who have held the office of Governor of Montana, highlighting the transitions between administrations and political parties.

Further Study
Related Topics
To deepen your understanding of Montana's executive leadership and governmental structure, consider exploring these related areas:
- Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States, specifically for Montana.
- The roles and history of First Ladies and Gentlemen of Montana.
- The legislative bodies and historical sessions of Montana state government.
About This Resource
Educational Context
This document was meticulously crafted by an AI, drawing upon authoritative data to provide an educational overview of Montana's governors. It adheres to academic standards, aiming for clarity and precision suitable for advanced study.
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References
References
- The range given is from the date the governor was confirmed by the Senate, or appointed by the President during a Senate recess, to the date the governor left office.
- Represented the Republican Party
- Represented the Populist Party
- Toole resigned due to health.[51]
- Represented the Democratic Party
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 4.
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 7.
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 10.
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 11.
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 12.
- 13ย Stat.ย 85
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 38th Cong., 1st sess., 590, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 38th Cong., 1st sess., 594, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 39th Cong., 1st sess., 862, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 39th Cong., 1st sess., 920, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 41st Cong., 1st sess., 81, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 41st Cong., 1st sess., 120, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 41st Cong., 2nd sess., 317, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 41st Cong., 2nd sess., 539, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 43rd Cong., 1st sess., 367, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 45th Cong., 2nd sess., 354, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 47th Cong., 1st sess., 497, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 47th Cong., 1st sess., 519, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 48th Cong., 2nd sess., 387, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 48th Cong., 2nd sess., 402, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 49th Cong., 1st sess., 55, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 49th Cong., 1st sess., 462, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 49th Cong., 2nd sess., 647, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 49th Cong., 2nd sess., 698, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 51st Cong., special sess., 40, accessed March 24, 2023.
- U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 51st Cong., special sess., 46, accessed March 24, 2023.
- 25ย Stat.ย 676
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 1.
- Montana Constitution, Article IV, Section 8.
- Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 14.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by Artificial Intelligence for informational and educational purposes. The content is derived from publicly available data, including Wikipedia, and has been refined for clarity and academic tone. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the information may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information presented here does not constitute legal, historical, or political consultation. Users should consult official state archives, primary sources, and qualified professionals for definitive information or specific guidance related to Montana's governance and history.
The creators of this resource are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided herein.