Brian Schweitzer

Brian Schweitzer (born September 4, 1955) is the Governor of Montana and a member of the Democratic Party. He took office on Monday, January 3, 2005.

Related Topics:
September 4 - 1955 - Governor - Montana - Democratic Party - January 3 - 2005

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Born in Havre, Montana, he was the fourth of six children. He earned an undergraduate degree in international agronomy from Colorado State University in 1978 and a master's degree in soil science from Montana State University in 1980. Upon finishing school, he worked as an irrigation developer on projects in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, spending much of his time in Saudi Arabia before returning to Montana in 1986 to launch a ranching and irrigation business in Whitefish. Schweitzer married Nancy Hupp in 1981; they began a family after returning to Montana and have three children: Ben, Khai, and Katrina.

Related Topics:
Havre, Montana - Agronomy - Colorado State University - 1978 - Soil science - Montana State University - 1980 - Saudi Arabia - 1986 - Whitefish - 1981

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He was a Clinton appointee to the United States Department of Agriculture as a member of the Montana State USDA Farm Service Agency committee, where he worked for seven years. While working for the USDA, he was appointed to the Montana Rural Development Board (1996), and the National Drought Task Force (1999).

Related Topics:
Clinton - United States Department of Agriculture - Montana Rural Development Board - 1996 - National Drought Task Force - 1999

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In 2000 he ran for U.S. Senate against conservative Republican incumbent Conrad Burns. In a close race, Schweitzer lost by the surprisingly small margin of 51%-47%. When incumbent Governor Judy Martz announced she would not run for re-election in 2004, Schweitzer announced his candidacy. His running mate was John Bohlinger, a Republican state Senator. He won the general election by a margin of 50%-46% over Secretary of State Bob Brown.

Related Topics:
2000 - U.S. Senate - Republican - Conrad Burns - Judy Martz - John Bohlinger

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In March 2005, Schweitzer prompted national controversy when he publicly suggested that Montana's National Guard troops be recalled from service in Iraq to assist firefighting during Montana's wildfire season.

Related Topics:
National Guard - Iraq - Wildfire

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Considered a maverick among Democratic governors, he is sometimes mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2008.

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