Since Montana became a state in 1889, nineteen men have held the office of Secretary of State. In 2008, Linda McCulloch was elected Montana's first woman Secretary of State. Frank Murray holds the record for the longest term in office: 24 years, from 1957 to 1981. The record for the shortest term goes to Robert Hawkins, who served for not quite two months in 1927.
In 1992, Montanans passed a constitutional initiative (CI 64) establishing limits on how long legislators and elected executive officers can hold office. As a result, beginning with Secretary of State Bob Brown, no one may serve longer than eight consecutive years in the position.
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Linda McCulloch
January 2009 - Present
Democrat |
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Brad Johnson
January 2005 - 2009
Republican |
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Bob Brown
January 2001 - January 2005
Republican |
|
Mike Cooney
January 1989 - January 2001
Democrat |
 |
Verner Bertelsen
April 1988 - January 1989
Republican
(Appointed) |
|
Jim Waltermire
January 1981 - April 1988
Republican
(Died while in office) |
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Frank Murray
January 1957 - January 1981
Democrat |
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S.C. Arnold
June 1955 - January 1957
Republican (Appointed) |
 |
Sam W. Mitchell
January 1933 - June 1955
Democrat
(Died while in office) |
|
William E. Harmon
January 1929 - January 1933
Republican |
 |
John W. Mountjoy
April 1928 - January 1929
Democrat |
|
William Powers
May 1927 - April 1928
Party affiliation unknown (Resigned) |
 |
Robert N. Hawkins
March 1927 - April 1927
Democrat
(Resigned)
|
|
Charles T. Stewart
January 1917 - March 1927
Republican
(Impeached, resigned) |
 |
Adelbert M. Alderson
January 1913 - December 1916
Democrat |
|
Thomas M. Swindlehurst
August 1911 - January 1913
Democrat |
 |
Abraham N. Yoder
January 1905 - August 1911
Republican
(Died while in office) |
|
George M. Hays
January 1901 - January 1905
Democrat |
 |
T.S. Hogan
January 1897 - January 1901
Populist |
|
Louis Rotwitt
November 1889 - January 1897
Republican |
