Brian Schweitzer
Brian David Schweitzer (born September 4, 1955) was the Democratic Governor of Montana from 2005 to 2013.
Schweitzer was prevented by term limits from seeking re-election in 2012. He was succeeded by Attorney General of Montana Steve Bullock (D), who won election on November 6, 2012.
Biography
Schweitzer was born in Havre, Montana. He earned his bachelor's degree in international agronomy from Colorado State University in 1978 and his master's degree in soil science from Montana State University in 1980. In 1986, Schweitzer started a ranching and irrigation business.[1][2]
President Bill Clinton (D) appointed Schweitzer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a member of the Montana USDA Farm Service Agency Committee.[2]
Education
- M.S., Soil Science, Montana State University, 1980
- B.S., International Agronomy, Colorado State University, 1978[2]
Political career
Montana Governor (2005-2013)
After incumbent Governor Judy Martz announced she would not run for re-election in 2004, Schweitzer announced that he would run for governor with John Bohlinger.[3][2]
Schweitzer won the general election by a margin of 50% to 46% over Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown.[4]
Posthumous pardons
On May 3, 2006, Schweitzer granted posthumous pardons to 78 people convicted of sedition during World War I. The New York Times called Montana's Sedition Act "among the harshest in the country".[5][6]
Election tampering
In July 2008, Schweitzer gave a speech in Philadelphia to the American Association for Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, during which he suggested that he had tampered with the 2006 U.S. Senate election in Montana to help Jon Tester (D) win. According to The Missoulian, the governor later said that it was all a joke.[7]
Presidential preference
2016 presidential endorsement
✓ Schweitzer endorsed Martin O'Malley for the Democrat primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[8]
- See also: Endorsements for Martin O'Malley
Elections
2012
- See also: Montana gubernatorial election, 2012
Due to term limits, Schweitzer was not able to run for a third consecutive term in 2012. Attorney General Steve Bullock (D) won election on November 6, 2012.
2008
On November 4, 2008, Schweitzer won re-election as Governor on a ticket with John Bohlinger.[9]
| Governor/Lt. Governor of Montana, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Brian Schweitzer/John Bohlinger Incumbent |
65.5% | 318,670 | |
| Republican | Roy Brown/Steve Daines | 32.5% | 158,268 | |
| Libertarian | Stan Jones/Michael Baker | 2% | 9,796 | |
| Total Votes | 486,734 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Schweitzer won election as Governor on a ticket with John Bohlinger.[10]
| Governor/Lt. Governor of Montana, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Brian Schweitzer/John Bohlinger |
50.4% | 225,016 | |
| Republican | Bob Brown/Dave Lewis | 46% | 205,313 | |
| Green | Bob Kelleher/Colleen Little Thunder | 1.9% | 8,393 | |
| Libertarian | Stanley Jones/Mike Kaszula | 1.7% | 7,424 | |
| Total Votes | 446,146 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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See also
External links
- Biographies:
- Executive actions:
- Fact-checking:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ Mt.gov, "Biography: Governor Brian Schweitzer," accessed September 14, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 MontanaTech, "Biography of Brian Schweitzer," 2016
- ↑ Missoulian.com, "Martz won't seek re-election," August 14, 2003
- ↑ CNN.com, "Schweitzer wins Montana governorship," November 3, 2004
- ↑ USA Today, "Montana governor to pardon 78 convicted during WWI," May 3, 2006
- ↑ The New York Times, "Pardons granted 88 Years After Crimes of Sedition," May 3, 2006
- ↑ Missoulian.com, "Schweitzer under fire for remark," September 17, 2008
- ↑ CNN Politics, "Former Montana governor backs Martin O'Malley for president," October 23, 2015
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2008 Statewide General Election Results," accessed June 8, 2021
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2004 Statewide General Election Results," accessed December 1, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Judy Martz |
Montana Governor 2005 - 2013 |
Succeeded by Steve Bullock (D) |
 |
State of Montana Helena (capital) |
|---|---|
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