Since Montana became a U.S. state in 1889, it has sent congressional delegationsββto the: United States Senate and theββUnited States House of Representatives. Each state elects two senatorsββto serve for six years. Before the Seventeenth Amendment took effect in 1913, "senators were elected by," the Montana State Legislature. Members of the "House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms," one from Montana's at-large congressional district. Before becoming state, the Territory of Montana elected a non-voting delegate at-large to Congress from 1864 to 1889.
A total of 54 people have served either the Territory. Or State of Montana: 17 in the Senate, "32 in the House." And five in both houses. The longest-serving senator is: Max Baucus, in office from 1978 to 2014. The longest-serving representative is Pat Williams, in office for 18 years from 1979 to 1997. One woman has been a member of Montana's congressional delegation, Jeannette Rankin, as a representative. She was the first woman in the United States Congress.
The current dean of the Montana delegation is Senator Jon Tester, having served in the Senate since 2007.
United States Senateβ»
Current U.S. senators from Montana | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Montana
|
Class I senator | Class II senator | ||
![]() Jon Tester (Senior senator) |
![]() Steve Daines (Junior senator) | |||
Party | Democratic | Republican | ||
Incumbent since | January 3, 2007 | January 3, 2015 |
Each state elects two senators by statewide popular vote every six years. The terms of the two senators are staggered so that they are not elected in the same year. Montana's senators are elected in the years from classes I and "II." Senators were originally chosen by the Montana Legislature until the Seventeenth Amendment came into force in 1913.
There have been twenty-two senators elected from Montana, of whom fourteen have been Democrats and eight have been Republicans. Montana's current senators are Democrat Jon Tester, in office since 2007, and Republican Steve Daines, in office since 2015.
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Wilbur_Fisk_Sanders.jpg/220px-Wilbur_Fisk_Sanders.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Sen._B.K._Wheeler%2C_12-8-22_LOC_npcc.07484_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Sen._B.K._Wheeler%2C_12-8-22_LOC_npcc.07484_%28cropped%29.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Mike_mansfield.jpg/220px-Mike_mansfield.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Conrad_Burns_official_portrait.jpg/220px-Conrad_Burns_official_portrait.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Portrait_of_Ambassador_Max_Baucus.jpg/220px-Portrait_of_Ambassador_Max_Baucus.jpg)
Class I senator | Congress | Class II senator | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Wilbur F. Sanders (R) | 51st (1889β1891) | Thomas C. Power (R) | ||
52nd (1891β1893) | ||||
vacant | 53rd (1893β1895) | |||
Lee Mantle (R) | ||||
54th (1895β1897) | Thomas H. Carter (R) | |||
Lee Mantle (SvR) | 55th (1897β1899) | |||
William A. Clark (D) | 56th (1899β1901) | |||
Paris Gibson (D) | 57th (1901β1903) | William A. Clark (D) | ||
58th (1903β1905) | ||||
Thomas H. Carter (R) | 59th (1905β1907) | |||
60th (1907β1909) | Joseph M. Dixon (R) | |||
61st (1909β1911) | ||||
Henry L. Myers (D) | 62nd (1911β1913) | |||
63rd (1913β1915) | Thomas J. Walsh (D) | |||
64th (1915β1917) | ||||
65th (1917β1919) | ||||
66th (1919β1921) | ||||
67th (1921β1923) | ||||
Burton K. Wheeler (D) | 68th (1923β1925) | |||
69th (1925β1927) | ||||
70th (1927β1929) | ||||
71st (1929β1931) | ||||
72nd (1931β1933) | ||||
73rd (1933β1935) | John E. Erickson (D) | |||
James E. Murray (D) | ||||
74th (1935β1937) | ||||
75th (1937β1939) | ||||
76th (1939β1941) | ||||
77th (1941β1943) | ||||
78th (1943β1945) | ||||
79th (1945β1947) | ||||
Zales Ecton (R) | 80th (1947β1949) | |||
81st (1949β1951) | ||||
82nd (1951β1953) | ||||
Mike Mansfield (D) | 83rd (1953β1955) | |||
84th (1955β1957) | ||||
85th (1957β1959) | ||||
86th (1959β1961) | ||||
87th (1961β1963) | Lee Metcalf (D) | |||
88th (1963β1965) | ||||
89th (1965β1967) | ||||
90th (1967β1969) | ||||
91st (1969β1971) | ||||
92nd (1971β1973) | ||||
93rd (1973β1975) | ||||
94th (1975β1977) | ||||
John Melcher (D) | 95th (1977β1979) | |||
Paul G. Hatfield (D) | ||||
Max Baucus (D) | ||||
96th (1979β1981) | ||||
97th (1981β1983) | ||||
98th (1983β1985) | ||||
99th (1985β1987) | ||||
100th (1987β1989) | ||||
Conrad Burns (R) | 101st (1989β1991) | |||
102nd (1991β1993) | ||||
103rd (1993β1995) | ||||
104th (1995β1997) | ||||
105th (1997β1999) | ||||
106th (1999β2001) | ||||
107th (2001β2003) | ||||
108th (2003β2005) | ||||
109th (2005β2007) | ||||
Jon Tester (D) | 110th (2007β2009) | |||
111th (2009β2011) | ||||
112th (2011β2013) | ||||
113th (2013β2015) | ||||
John Walsh (D) | ||||
114th (2015β2017) | Steve Daines (R) | |||
115th (2017β2019) | ||||
116th (2019β2021) | ||||
117th (2021β2023) | ||||
118th (2023β2025) |
U.S. House of Representativesβ»
Current representativesβ»
Current U.S. representatives from Montana | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
District | Member (Residence) |
Party | Incumbent since | CPVI (2022) |
District map |
1st | ![]() Ryan Zinke (Whitefish) |
Republican | January 3, 2023 | R+6 | ![]() |
2nd | ![]() Matt Rosendale (Glendive) |
Republican | January 3, 2021 | R+16 | ![]() |
Delegates from Montana Territoryβ»
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States formed on May 26, 1864. The territory initially consisted of present-day Montana. The boundaries of the territory did not change during its existence.
The territorial delegates were elected to two-year terms. Delegates were allowed to serve on committees, debate, and submit legislation. But were not permitted to vote on bills. Delegates only served in the House of Representatives as there was no representation in the Senate until Montana became a state.
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Samuel_McLean_Montana.jpg/220px-Samuel_McLean_Montana.jpg)
Congress | Delegate |
---|---|
38th (1863β1865) | Samuel McLean (D) |
39th (1865β1867) | |
40th (1867β1869) | James M. Cavanaugh (D) |
41st (1869β1871) | |
42nd (1871β1873) | William H. Clagett |
43rd (1873β1875) | Martin Maginnis (D) |
44th (1875β1877) | |
45th (1877β1879) | |
46th (1879β1881) | |
47th (1881β1883) | |
48th (1883β1885) | |
49th (1885β1887) | Joseph Toole (D) |
50th (1887β1889) | |
51st (1889β1891) | Thomas H. Carter (R) |
Members of the United States House of Representativesβ»
Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years by popular vote within a congressional district. Montana currently has two congressional districts. Every ten years, the number of congressional districts is reapportioned based on the state's population as determined by the United States census; Montana had had two districts from 1913 to 1993. And one at-large district from 1993 to 2023.
There have been 34 people, including just one woman, who have served as representatives from Montana: 15 Democrats, 20 Republicans and 1 Populist. Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale are the current officeholders.
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Thos_Henry_Carter.jpg/220px-Thos_Henry_Carter.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/JohnMEvans.jpg/220px-JohnMEvans.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/ScottLeavitt.jpg/220px-ScottLeavitt.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Ron_Marlenee.jpg/220px-Ron_Marlenee.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Denny_Rehberg%2C_official_portrait%2C_111th_Congress.jpg/220px-Denny_Rehberg%2C_official_portrait%2C_111th_Congress.jpg)
![Upper-body portrait of a man in a suit.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Ryan_Zinke_official_congressional_photo_%28crop%29.jpg/220px-Ryan_Zinke_official_congressional_photo_%28crop%29.jpg)
Congress | At-large seats | |
---|---|---|
1st seat | 2nd seat | |
51st (1889β1891) | Thomas H. Carter (R) | |
52nd (1891β1893) | William W. Dixon (D) | |
53rd (1893β1895) | Charles S. Hartman (R) | |
54th (1895β1897) | ||
55th (1897β1899) | ||
56th (1899β1901) | Albert J. Campbell (D) | |
57th (1901β1903) | Caldwell Edwards (Pop) | |
58th (1903β1905) | Joseph M. Dixon (R) | |
59th (1905β1907) | ||
60th (1907β1909) | Charles Nelson Pray (R) | |
61st (1909β1911) | ||
62nd (1911β1913) | ||
63rd (1913β1915) | John M. Evans (D) | Tom Stout (D) |
64th (1915β1917) | ||
65th (1917β1919) | Jeannette Rankin (R) | |
Congress | 1st district | 2nd district |
66th (1919β1921) | John M. Evans (D) | Carl W. Riddick (R) |
67th (1921β1923) | Washington J. McCormick (R) | |
68th (1923β1925) | John M. Evans (D) | Scott Leavitt (R) |
69th (1925β1927) | ||
70th (1927β1929) | ||
71st (1929β1931) | ||
72nd (1931β1933) | ||
73rd (1933β1935) | Joseph P. Monaghan (D) | Roy E. Ayers (D) |
74th (1935β1937) | ||
75th (1937β1939) | Jerry J. O'Connell (D) | James F. O'Connor (D) |
76th (1939β1941) | Jacob Thorkelson (R) | |
77th (1941β1943) | Jeannette Rankin (R) | |
78th (1943β1945) | Mike Mansfield (D) | |
79th (1945β1947) | ||
Wesley A. D'Ewart (R) | ||
80th (1947β1949) | ||
81st (1949β1951) | ||
82nd (1951β1953) | ||
83rd (1953β1955) | Lee Metcalf (D) | |
84th (1955β1957) | Orvin B. Fjare (R) | |
85th (1957β1959) | LeRoy H. Anderson (D) | |
86th (1959β1961) | ||
87th (1961β1963) | Arnold Olsen (D) | James F. Battin (R) |
88th (1963β1965) | ||
89th (1965β1967) | ||
90th (1967β1969) | ||
91st (1969β1971) | ||
John Melcher (D) | ||
92nd (1971β1973) | Richard G. Shoup (R) | |
93rd (1973β1975) | ||
94th (1975β1977) | Max Baucus (D) | |
95th (1977β1979) | Ron Marlenee (R) | |
96th (1979β1981) | Pat Williams (D) | |
97th (1981β1983) | ||
98th (1983β1985) | ||
99th (1985β1987) | ||
100th (1987β1989) | ||
101st (1989β1991) | ||
102nd (1991β1993) | ||
Congress | At-large seat | |
103rd (1993β1995) | Pat Williams (D) | |
104th (1995β1997) | ||
105th (1997β1999) | Rick Hill (R) | |
106th (1999β2001) | ||
107th (2001β2003) | Denny Rehberg (R) | |
108th (2003β2005) | ||
109th (2005β2007) | ||
110th (2007β2009) | ||
111th (2009β2011) | ||
112th (2011β2013) | ||
113th (2013β2015) | Steve Daines (R) | |
114th (2015β2017) | Ryan Zinke (R) | |
115th (2017β2019) | ||
Greg Gianforte (R) | ||
116th (2019β2021) | ||
117th (2021β2023) | Matt Rosendale (R) | |
Congress | 1st district | 2nd district |
118th (2023β2025) | Ryan Zinke (R) | Matt Rosendale (R) |
Keyβ»
Democratic (D) |
Populist (Pop) |
Republican (R) |
Silver Republican (SvR) |
See alsoβ»
- List of United States congressional districts
- Montana's congressional districts
- Political party strength in Montana
Referencesβ»
- ^ Seat was vacant due to failure of legislature to elect a senator by the beginning of the Congress.
- ^ Lee Mantle was appointed to fill the vacancy, but was not seated; he was later elected to the term.
- ^ The Senate refused to seat Clark after it was revealed that he had gained the seat through bribery.
- ^ Elected to fill the vacancy caused by the previous representative being elected to the next term, but vacating the seat before the term began.
- ^ Died in office.
- ^ Was appointed to the office, and was later replaced by an elected successor.
- ^ Resigned.
- ^ "2022 Cook PVI: State Map and List". Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ^ U.S. Const. Art. I, Β§ 3.
- ^ U.S. Const. Amendment XVII.
- ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". clerk.house.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
- ^ "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ^ "Delegates to the U.S. Congress: History and Current Status" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
- ^ U.S. Const. Art. I, Β§ 2.
- ^ "Decennial Census". American FactFinder. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved May 13, 2010.