Marc Racicot

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Marc F. Racicot (IPA pronunciation: ['rɑskəʊ]) (born July 24, 1948) is a Republican Party politician. He was the governor of Montana from 1993 until 2001. He also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2002 until 2003, when he was appointed as the chairman of the Bush re-election campaign. In 2000 as well as 2004 he was rumored to be Bush's choice for Attorney General, but his moderate views on abortion and gay rights made that choice unlikely.

In 1992 incumbent Governor Stan Stephens declined to run due to health problems leaving the seat open to candidates Racicot and Democrat Dorothy Bradley of Bozeman, Montana. With taxes the main campaign issue, both candidates calling for a 4% sales tax but differing on how to spend such a tax, the election was close. Racicot came out on top winning 51% - 49%. In 1996 Racicot ran for reelection against long-time state legislator Democrat Chet Blaylock. A few weeks before the election however, Blaylock unexpectedly died of a heart attack on the way to a debate.[1] Reluctantly, his little known running mate, Judy Jacobson continued the drive but had little time to launch her own campaign. Because the election was so near, the voting ballots could not be changed from Blaylock to Jacobson. In one of the largest margins in state history, Racicot beat the deceased Blaylock, 80% - 20%.

Racicot has been sharply criticized for his environmental record, having overseen the deregulation of Montana's electric utilities.

Currently, Racicot serves as President of the American Insurance Association (AIA), an organization of more than 435 companies that underwrite a major portion of the property-casualty business in the United States.

Prior to being elected governor of Montana, he served as a prosecutor in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army (1973-1976), as deputy county attorney for Missoula County (1976-1977), as assistant attorney general and special prosecutor for the state of Montana (1977-1988) and as Montana attorney general (1988-1993). Racicot received an undergraduate degree from Carroll College and a law degree from the University of Montana.

He serves as a current board member for Jobs for America’s Graduates and the Board of Visitors of University of Montana School of Law, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a division of which is AmeriCorps. He has also served on the Board of the Lewis & Clark County United Way, and is a past chairman of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, where his predecessor was former Secretary of State Colin Powell. He is a director of Massachusetts Mutual Life Association and a former partner at the Texas-based law firm Bracewell & Giuliani.

Racicot is of French descent; his surname is pronounced "ROSS-ko".

[edit] Electoral history

• 1996 Race for Governor
  • Marc Racicot (R) (inc.), 79%
  • Chet Blaylock (D), 19%
• 1992 Race for Governor
  • Marc Racicot (R), 51%
  • Dorothy Bradley (D), 49%

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