Go West, My Friends–The Big Sky State Populist

Up and Comers You Should Know (Part 1 of Series)

Name: Brian Schweitzer

Position: Governor of Montana

Age: 53

Party: Democrat

Politics: Social Libertarian, Populist.

Religion: Catholic

Family: Wife, Nancy, three children, and border collie, Jag

Other: Rancher, fluent in Arabic

Background

If the future of the Democratic Party lies in the west, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer best represents that future. Born and raised on a cattle ranch in eastern Montana, Governor Schweitzer is not your typical politician. After earning degrees in international agronomy and soil science and spending 10 years oversees teaching American agricultural methods in the developing world (including seven years in Saudi Arabia where he became fluent in Arabic), Schweitzer returned home to Montana to become a rancher and advocate for effective farm and rural policy. During the 1990s, Schweitzer was appointed to the Department of Agriculture’s Montana Farm Service Committee, the Montana Rural Development Board, and the National Drought Task Force.

2000 Senate and 2004 Governors Races

In 2000, Schweitzer, then a relative unknown in Montana, decided to challenge incumbent Senator Conrad Burns and surprised political observers by losing by only three percentage points. In 2004, in the same election cycle that saw President Bush win Montana by 20 percentage points, Schweitzer ran for governor and defeated Montana Secretary of State Bob Brown by four percentage points.

During the 2004 campaign, Schweitzer became famous for his populous appeal, folksy demeanor, and constant campaign partner—border collie, Jag. Along the way, Jag became such a popular figure that he even authored a book.

First Term as Governor

Governor Schweitzer has received high marks for his first term, following through on his promises to offer incentives for alternative energy production, to provide more funding for education without higher taxes, and to balance the state’s budget. Schweitzer also has been successful in expanding public land use for hunters, fishers, and campers, and creating a pool to help small businesses purchase health insurance for their employees. He has been a loud champion for better use of our natural resources and the need for increased domestic production of clean energy and biofuels.

Vice Presidential Speculation and Future in Party

During 2008, Governor Schweitzer received periodic mention as a possible Vice Presidential selection for Senator Barack Obama. This speculation largely revolved around his populist western appeal and expertise on energy issues. When asked about the possibility of being selected, Schweitzer quipped, “I have made it pretty clear that I don’t like the politics back there in Washington, D.C., and Jag doesn’t like the smell of it.”

Although ultimately not believed to have been a finalist for vice president, Governor Schweitzer received a prominent speaking role during the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Schweitzer took advantage of this opportunity by giving a rousing energy speech that captivated the delegates in participatory chants.

Governor Schweitzer is a heavy favorite to win reelection as governor this November, and many believe him to be a potential future presidential candidate. He will be term-limited as Governor in 2012 and could serve in a position such as Secretary Agriculture or Secretary of Energy in a potential second Obama term. Governor Schweitzer, now vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association, would also be a logical choice to succeed Howard Dean as the chair of the Democratic National Committee if the party is to continue to focus on its 50-state strategy in the coming decade.