Judy Martz
| Judy Martz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 22nd Governor of Montana | |
|
In office January 1, 2001 – January 3, 2005 | |
| Lieutenant | Karl Ohs |
| Preceded by | Marc Racicot |
| Succeeded by | Brian Schweitzer |
| 27th Lieutenant Governor of Montana | |
|
In office January 6, 1997 – January 1, 2001 | |
| Governor | Marc Racicot |
| Preceded by | Denny Rehberg |
| Succeeded by | Karl Ohs |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Judy Morstein July 28, 1943 Big Timber, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Harry Martz |
| Alma mater | Montana State University, Billings |
| Religion | Christianity |
Judy Martz (born July 28, 1943) was the 22nd Governor of Montana, having served a single term from January 1, 2001, to January 3, 2005.[1]
Early life and education
Martz was born July 28, 1943 in Big Timber, Montana as Judy Morstein. She graduated from Butte High School in 1961, and attended Eastern Montana College.[2] Martz' father was a miner and rancher, and her mother was, at various times, a cook, liquor-store clerk and motel maid.[3]
Career before Governorship
Martz was a speed skater at the 1964 Olympics (1500 metres), 1962 Miss Rodeo Montana,[4] and owner and operator, with her husband, Harry, of a garbage disposal service in her hometown of Butte, Montana. She was one of the first two Montana women to appear in the Olympics.
In 1996 Martz became the first female Lieutenant Governor of Montana; elected with Marc Racicot.[5] She served as Lieutenant Governor from 1997 to 2001. She was Montana's first female governor.[6]
Governorship
In the Montana gubernatorial election of 2000, Martz won the Republican primary over conservative activist and University of Montana law professor Rob Natelson 57 percent to 43 percent. She would go on to defeat her Democratic opponent, State Auditor Mark O'Keefe, in the general election by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent.[7] Upon becoming Governor, Martz' first legislative session resulted in the single largest increase in the education budget in Montana history, as well as tax cuts intended to stimulate the stagnant state economy.
Martz was put under a statewide microscope in November 2001 when a 1999 real estate deal between the Martzes and ARCO was uncovered. The Martz family had a ranch that adjoined another large parcel of land that was owned by the ARCO company, at that time ARCO sold that land at an allegedly low value to the Martz family. The state Democratic Party alleged that Martz had assisted ARCO in her position as Lieutenant Governor. However, the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices found that the allegations lacked merit. Martz announced that she would not run for re-election as Governor in 2004. Martz finished her time in office campaigning for President Bush in Ohio, Arizona, and other swing states, and sparring with incoming Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer over transition of state government.[8]
Career after Governorship
In September 2005 Martz was named chair of Montanans for Judge Roberts (Chief Justice nominee John Glover Roberts, Jr.) and spoke at a rally in support of Roberts. She also sat on the boards of Maternal Life International, University of Montana Western, Big Sky State Games, and TASER International, a company that manufacturers non-lethal electrical shock equipment for law enforcement, the military, and private individuals.[9]
She never ruled out another run for office, saying she'd have to pray "long and hard" to make the decision.[9]
Family and personal life
Martz and her husband, Harry, were married in 1965. They had two children.[2]
In May 2003, Martz made it into the news, through no action of her own, due to a supposed similarity to the face and hair of a nude bordello dancer sculpted by Seattle artist Kristine Veith, and placed in a new development in downtown Helena. Both Martz and Veith deny the similarity, with Martz stating, possibly partially tongue-in-cheek, "I'm a very modest person, no one would ever see me like that. My husband doesn't ever see me like that".[10][11]
Electoral history
| Montana gubernatorial election, 2000[12] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Judy Martz | 209,135 | 50.98% | -28.18% | |
| Democratic | Mark O'Keefe | 193,131 | 47.08% | +26.25% | |
| Libertarian | Stan Jones | 7,926 | 1.93% | ||
| Majority | 16,004 | 3.90% | -54.43% | ||
| Turnout | 410,192 | ||||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
References
- ↑ "Judy Martz". Montana Historical Society. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- 1 2 Montana Governor - Biography of Governor Judy Martz
- ↑ Rob Gurwitt(2000). "Judy Martz: Cautious Ambition". www.governing.com. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ↑ "Miss Rodeao Montana History". Miss Rodeo Montana, Inc. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ↑ "Montana Governor Judy Martz". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
- ↑ Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Judy Martz". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
- ↑ Almanac of American Politics 2004 - Gov. Judy Martz (R) - Montana
- ↑ "Martz, Schweitzer argue over transition costs". Archived from the original on October 7, 2007.
- 1 2 Flsthead Beacon - Ex-Governor Judy Martz at Peace With Lord, Legacy
- ↑ Some see Martz in mural (dead link)
- ↑ "The Odd Truth". cbs. September 5, 2003. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ↑ 2000 Statewide General Canvas - November 7,2000
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Denny Rehberg |
Lieutenant Governor of Montana 1997–2001 |
Succeeded by Karl Ohs |
| Preceded by Marc Racicot |
Governor of Montana 2001–2005 |
Succeeded by Brian Schweitzer |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Marc Racicot |
Republican nominee for Governor of Montana 2000 |
Succeeded by Bob Brown |
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