Montana
Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division 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 the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbi ...
was admitted to the
Union
Union commonly refers to:
* Trade union, an organization of workers
* Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets
Union may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Music
* Union (band), an American rock group
** ''Un ...
on November 8, 1889, and elects
U.S. senators
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and powe ...
to
Classes 1 and 2. Its current U.S. senators are Democrat
Jon Tester
Raymond Jon Tester (born August 21, 1956) is an American farmer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Montana, a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, Tester is the dean of Montana's congressio ...
(serving since 2007) and Republican
Steve Daines
Steven David Daines ( ; born August 20, 1962) is an American politician and former corporate executive serving as the junior United States senator for Montana since 2015. A Republican, he served as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large ...
(serving since 2015), making it one of seven states to have a split United States Senate delegation.
List of senators
, - style="height:2em"
, colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, nowrap , Nov 8, 1889 –
Jan 1, 1890
, Montana elected its first senators two months after admission to the Union.
, rowspan=3 , 1
, rowspan=2
, rowspan=5 , 1
, Montana elected its first senators two months after admission to the Union.
, nowrap , Nov 8, 1889 –
Jan 2, 1890
, colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=2 , 1
, rowspan=2 align=left ,
![Wilbur Fisk Sanders](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Wilbur_Fisk_Sanders.jpg)
Wilbur F. Sanders
Wilbur Fisk Sanders (May 2, 1834 – July 7, 1905) was a United States senator from Montana. A leading pioneer and a skilled lawyer, Sanders played a prominent role in the development of Montana Territory and the state's early political hi ...
, rowspan=2 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=2 nowrap , Jan 1, 1890 –
Mar 3, 1893
, rowspan=2 ,
Elected in 1890.Lost re-election.
, rowspan=4 ,
Elected in 1890.Retired.
, rowspan=4 nowrap , Jan 2, 1890 –
Mar 3, 1895
, rowspan=4 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=4 align=right ,
Thomas C. Power
! rowspan=4 , 1
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, nowrap , Mar 3, 1893 –
Jan 16, 1895
, Legislature failed to elect.
, rowspan=4 , 2
, rowspan=2
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=3 , 2
, rowspan=3 align=left ,
Lee Mantle
Lee Mantle (December 13, 1851November 18, 1934) was an American businessman and politician from Montana. A Republican, he was most notable for his service as a United States Senator from 1895 to 1899.
Mantle was born in Birmingham, England on ...
, rowspan=2 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=3 nowrap , Jan 16, 1895 –
Mar 3, 1899
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected to finish vacant term.Lost renomination.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=4 , 2
, rowspan=4 ,
Elected in Jan 1895.Lost re-election.
, rowspan=4 nowrap , Mar 4, 1895 –
Mar 3, 1901
, rowspan=4 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=4 align=right ,
![Thomas Henry Carter cph](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Thomas_Henry_Carter_cph.3b27384.jpg)
Thomas H. Carter
Thomas Henry Carter (October 30, 1854September 17, 1911) was an American politician, who served as territorial delegate, a United States representative, and a U.S. Senator from Montana. Carter was born in Junior Furnace, Ohio, on October 30, 1 ...
! rowspan=4 , 2
, - style="height:2em"
, ,
Silver
Republican
,
, - style="height:2em"
! 3
, align=left ,
![Waclark](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Waclark.jpg)
William Clark
William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Misso ...
, ,
Democratic
, nowrap , Mar 4, 1899 –
May 15, 1900
,
Elected in 1899.Resigned to avoid claim of election fraud.
, rowspan=5 , 3
, rowspan=2
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=2 colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, rowspan=2 nowrap , May 15, 1900 –
Mar 7, 1901
, rowspan=2 , Clark was appointed to continue his term, but did not qualify.
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=2
, rowspan=4 , 3
, rowspan=4 ,
Elected in 1901.Retired.
, rowspan=4 nowrap , Mar 4, 1901 –
Mar 3, 1907
, rowspan=4 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=4 align=right ,
![Waclark](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Waclark.jpg)
William Clark
William Clark (August 1, 1770 – September 1, 1838) was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in pre-statehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Misso ...
! rowspan=4 , 3
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=2 , 4
, rowspan=2 align=left ,
![Paris Gibson](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Paris_Gibson.jpg)
Paris Gibson
Paris Gibson (July 1, 1830December 16, 1920) was an American entrepreneur and politician.
Gibson was born in Brownfield, Maine. An 1851 graduate of Bowdoin College, he served as a member of the Montana State Senate and as a Democratic member ...
, rowspan=2 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=2 nowrap , Mar 7, 1901 –
Mar 3, 1905
, rowspan=2 ,
Elected to finish Clark's term.
Retired.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=3 , 5
, rowspan=3 align=left ,
![Portrait of Thomas H](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Portrait_of_Thomas_H._Carter.jpg)
Thomas H. Carter
Thomas Henry Carter (October 30, 1854September 17, 1911) was an American politician, who served as territorial delegate, a United States representative, and a U.S. Senator from Montana. Carter was born in Junior Furnace, Ohio, on October 30, 1 ...
, rowspan=3 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1905 –
Mar 3, 1911
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected Jan 16, 1905.Lost re-election.
, rowspan=3 , 4
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 4
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected Jan 16, 1907.
Lost re-election as a
Progressive.
, rowspan=3 nowrap , Mar 4, 1907 –
Mar 3, 1913
, rowspan=3 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=3 align=right ,
![Joseph M](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Joseph_M._Dixon.jpg)
Joseph M. Dixon
Joseph Moore Dixon (July 31, 1867May 22, 1934) was an American History of the Republican Party (United States), Republican politician from Montana. He served as a U.S. House of Representatives, Representative, United States Senate, Senator, and th ...
! rowspan=3 , 4
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=6 , 6
, rowspan=6 align=left ,
Henry L. Myers
, rowspan=6 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=6 nowrap , Mar 4, 1911 –
Mar 3, 1923
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected Mar 2, 1911.
, rowspan=3 , 5
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 5
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected Jan 14, 1913.
, rowspan=10 nowrap , Mar 4, 1913 –
Mar 2, 1933
, rowspan=10 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=10 align=right ,
![Thomas J](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Thomas_J._Walsh_cph.3c02581.jpg)
Thomas J. Walsh
Thomas James Walsh (June 12, 1859March 2, 1933) was an American lawyer and Democratic Party politician from Helena, Montana who represented Montana in the US Senate from 1913 to 1933. He was initially elected by the state legislature, and from 1 ...
! rowspan=10 , 5
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1916.Retired.
, rowspan=3 , 6
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 6
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1918.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=15 , 7
, rowspan=15 align=left ,
![BurtonKWheeler](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/BurtonKWheeler.jpg)
Burton K. Wheeler
Burton Kendall Wheeler (February 27, 1882January 6, 1975) was an attorney and an American politician of the Democratic Party in Montana, which he represented as a United States senator from 1923 until 1947.
Born in Massachusetts, Wheeler began ...
, rowspan=15 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=15 nowrap , Mar 4, 1923 –
Jan 3, 1947
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 1922.
, rowspan=3 , 7
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 7
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1924.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=6 ,
Re-elected in 1928.
, rowspan=6 , 8
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=2
, rowspan=6 , 8
,
Re-elected in 1930.Died.
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=2 ,
, rowspan=2 nowrap , Mar 2, 1933 –
Mar 13, 1933
, rowspan=2 colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3
, - style="height:2em"
, Appointed to continue Walsh's term.Lost nomination to finish Walsh's term.
, nowrap , Mar 13, 1933 –
Nov 6, 1934
, ,
Democratic
, align=right ,
John E. Erickson
! 6
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=2 ,
Elected to finish Walsh's term.
, rowspan=14 nowrap , Nov 7, 1934 –
Jan 3, 1961
, rowspan=14 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=14 align=right ,
![M001108](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/James_Edward_Murray.jpg)
James E. Murray
James Edward Murray (May 3, 1876March 23, 1961) was an American politician and United States Senator from Montana, and a liberal leader of the Democratic Party. He served in the United States Senate from 1934 until 1961.
Background
Born on a f ...
! rowspan=14 , 7
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1934.
, rowspan=3 , 9
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 9
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected to full term in 1936.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1940.Lost renomination.
, rowspan=3 , 10
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 10
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1942.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=3 , 8
, rowspan=3 align=left ,
![Zales Nelson Ecton](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Zales_Nelson_Ecton.jpg)
Zales Ecton
Zales Nelson Ecton (April 1, 1898March 3, 1961) was an American attorney and politician from Montana who represented the state in the United States Senate, serving from 1947 to 1953.
Early life and education
Ecton was born in Weldon, Iowa on Ap ...
, rowspan=3 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=3 nowrap , Jan 3, 1947 –
Jan 3, 1953
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 1946.Lost re-election.
, rowspan=3 , 11
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 11
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1948.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=12 , 9
, rowspan=12 align=left ,
![Michael Joseph Mansfield](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Michael_Joseph_Mansfield.jpg)
Mike Mansfield
Michael Joseph Mansfield (March 16, 1903 – October 5, 2001) was an American politician and diplomat. A Democratic Party (United States), Democrat, he served as a United States House of Representatives, U.S. representative (1943–1953) and a ...
, rowspan=12 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=12 nowrap , Jan 3, 1953 –
Jan 3, 1977
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 1952.
, rowspan=3 , 12
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 12
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1954.Retired.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1958.
, rowspan=3 , 13
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 13
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 1960.
, rowspan=9 nowrap , Jan 3, 1961 –
Jan 12, 1978
, rowspan=9 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=9 align=right ,
![Lee Warren METCALF](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Lee_Warren_METCALF.jpg)
Lee Metcalf
Lee Warren Metcalf (January 28, 1911 – January 12, 1978) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a U.S. Representative (1953–1961) and a U.S. Senator (1961–1978) from Montana. He was th ...
! rowspan=9 , 8
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1964.
, rowspan=3 , 14
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 14
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1966.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1970.Retired.
, rowspan=3 , 15
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=7 , 15
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1972.Died.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=10 , 10
, rowspan=10 align=left ,
![John Melcher](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/John_Melcher.jpg)
John Melcher
John David Melcher (September 6, 1924 – April 12, 2018) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented Montana as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and as a United States Senator fro ...
, rowspan=10 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=10 nowrap , Jan 3, 1977 –
Jan 3, 1989
, rowspan=7 ,
Elected in 1976.
, rowspan=7 , 16
, rowspan=5
, - style="height:2em"
,
, nowrap , Jan 12, 1978 –
Jan 22, 1978
, colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, - style="height:2em"
, Appointed to finish Metcalf's term.Lost nomination to full term.Resigned early to give successor preferential seniority.
, nowrap , Jan 22, 1978 –
Dec 14, 1978
, ,
Democratic
, align=right ,
Paul G. Hatfield
! 9
, - style="height:2em"
,
, nowrap , Dec 14, 1978 –
Dec 15, 1978
, colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, - style="height:2em"
, Appointed early to finish Metcalf's term, having already been elected to the next term.
, rowspan=19 nowrap , Dec 15, 1978 –
Feb 6, 2014
, rowspan=19 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=19 align=right ,
![Max S Baucus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Max_S_Baucus.jpg)
Max Baucus
Maxwell Sieben Baucus ( Enke; born December 11, 1941) is an American politician who served as a United States senator from Montana from 1978 to 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a U.S. senator for over 35 years, making him the longe ...
! rowspan=19 , 10
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 16
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 1978.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1982.Lost re-election.
, rowspan=3 , 17
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 17
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1984.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=9 , 11
, rowspan=9 align=left ,
![Conrad Burns official portrait](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Conrad_Burns_official_portrait.jpg)
Conrad Burns
Conrad Ray Burns (January 25, 1935 – April 28, 2016) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Montana and later was a lobbyist. He was only the second Republican popularly elected to represent Montana in the Senate ...
, rowspan=9 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=9 nowrap , Jan 3, 1989 –
Jan 3, 2007
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 1988.
, rowspan=3 , 18
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 18
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1990.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1994.
, rowspan=3 , 19
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 19
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 1996.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 2000.Lost re-election.
, rowspan=3 , 20
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 20
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 2002.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
! rowspan=11 , 12
, rowspan=11 align=left ,
![Jon Tester, official 110th Congress photo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Jon_Tester%2C_official_110th_Congress_photo.jpg)
Jon Tester
Raymond Jon Tester (born August 21, 1956) is an American farmer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Montana, a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, Tester is the dean of Montana's congressio ...
, rowspan=11 ,
Democratic
, rowspan=11 nowrap , Jan 3, 2007 –
Present
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 2006.
, rowspan=3 , 21
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=5 , 21
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 2008.Resigned to become
U.S. Ambassador to China.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=5 ,
Re-elected in 2012.
, rowspan=5 , 22
, rowspan=3
, - style="height:2em"
,
, nowrap , Feb 6, 2014 –
Feb 9, 2014
, colspan=3 , ''Vacant''
, - style="height:2em"
, Appointed to finish Baucus's term.Ran for election to full term, but withdrew.
, nowrap , Feb 9, 2014 –
Jan 3, 2015
, ,
Democratic
, align=right ,
John Walsh
! 11
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 22
, rowspan=3 ,
Elected in 2014.
, rowspan=6 nowrap , Jan 3, 2015 –
Present
, rowspan=6 ,
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
, rowspan=6 align=right ,
![Steve Daines official Senate portrait](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Steve_Daines_official_Senate_portrait.jpg)
Steve Daines
Steven David Daines ( ; born August 20, 1962) is an American politician and former corporate executive serving as the junior United States senator for Montana since 2015. A Republican, he served as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large ...
! rowspan=6 , 12
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 2018.
, rowspan=3 , 23
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, rowspan=3 , 23
, rowspan=3 ,
Re-elected in 2020.
, - style="height:2em"
,
, - style="height:2em"
, rowspan=2 colspan=5 , To be determined in the
2024 election.
, rowspan=2, 23
,
, - style="height:2em"
,
, 24
, colspan=5 , To be determined in the
2026 election.
Living former senators
, there are two living former U.S. senators from Montana. The most recent senator to die was
John Melcher
John David Melcher (September 6, 1924 – April 12, 2018) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented Montana as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and as a United States Senator fro ...
(served 1977–1989) on April 12, 2018. The most recently serving senator to die was
Conrad Burns
Conrad Ray Burns (January 25, 1935 – April 28, 2016) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Montana and later was a lobbyist. He was only the second Republican popularly elected to represent Montana in the Senate ...
(served 1989–2007) on April 28, 2016.
Superlatives
Longest service
Shortest service
Youngest at beginning of service
Oldest at end of service
See also
*
List of United States representatives from Montana
*
United States congressional delegations from Montana
Since Montana became a U.S. state in 1889, it has sent congressional delegations to the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Each state elects two senators to serve for six years. Before the Seventeenth Amendment ...
*
Elections in Montana
References
{{MontanansLists
United States Senators
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and power ...
Montana
Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division 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 the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbi ...