Judy Martz
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Judy Martz (born July 28, 1943, in Big Timber, Montana) was the governor of the U.S. state of Montana from January 2, 2001 to January 3, 2005. She served as the Lieutenant Governor under Marc Racicot from 1997-2001, and she was the first female governor of that state. She is a member of the United States Republican Party, former Olympic skater (the 1964 speed skating team), former Miss Rodeo Montana, and owner and operator, with her husband, of a garbage disposal service in her hometown of Butte, Montana.
In the gubernatorial election of 2000, Martz defeated her Democratic opponent, Mark O'Keefe, by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent. Martz announced that she would not run for re-election as Governor in 2004.
Martz's first legislative session resulted in the single largest increase in the education budget in Montana history and tax cuts intended to stimulate the stagnant state economy.
Martz had her fair share of scandals, off-color statements, and questionable activities while she was in office, many of which led to her incredibly low approval rating during the remaining years of her term as governor. Her chief policy adviser was involved in a drunk driving accident near Marysville, Montana, in August 2001. House Majority Leader Paul Sliter died in the accident. Martz's policy advisor promptly resigned and pled guilty to a charge of negligent homicide. Martz also was put under a state-wide microscope when a 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. The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices found that the allegations lacked merit.
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.
In September 2005 Martz was named chair of Montanans for Judge Roberts (Chief Justice nominee John Roberts) and spoke at a rally in support of Roberts with past and present statewide Republican officials such as ex-Congressman Rick Hill.
[edit] Trivia
In May 2003, Martz made it into the news, through no action of her own, because of a supposed similarity to the face and hair of one 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 reporting, "I'm a very modest person, no one would ever see me like that. My husband doesn't ever see me like that." ([1], [2]) (Martz may have been partially joking.)
[edit] Electoral history
- 2000 Race for Governor
- Judy Martz (R), 51%
- Mark O'Keefe (D), 47%
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Marc Racicot |
Governor of Montana 2001 – 2005 |
Succeeded by Brian Schweitzer |
| Governors of Montana |  |
|---|---|
| Toole • Rickards • Smith • Toole • Norris • Stewart • Dixon • Erickson • Cooney • Holt • Ayers • Ford • Bonner • Aronson • Nutter • Babcock • Anderson • Judge • Schwinden • Stephens • Racicot • Martz • Schweitzer |
