Overview

Judy Martz (July 28, 1943 – October 30, 2017) was an American politician who served as the 23rd Governor of Montana from 2001 to 2005. She was elected on November 7, 2000 and took office at the start of 2001. Martz was the first woman to win a gubernatorial election in Montana and remained the state’s top elected official for a single four-year term. She was a member of the Republican Party.

Background and rise to statewide office

Before becoming governor, Martz emerged from local and state circles in Montana into higher-profile public life. Her path combined private-sector work and involvement in community and civic affairs, which helped establish the credentials necessary for statewide office. Her candidacy and election reflected changing patterns of political participation for women in Montana and across the United States at the turn of the 21st century.

Governorship (2001–2005)

Martz’s administration confronted the routine duties and challenges that face any state chief executive: managing a state budget, overseeing agencies that provide services to residents, engaging with the legislature, and responding to the needs of rural and urban communities alike. Issues commonly associated with Montana—natural resources, agriculture, energy, and land use—were part of the policy environment during her term, as were debates about taxation, economic development, and public services.

Significance and legacy

Martz’s election was symbolically important for Montana: she was the first woman elected governor in the state’s history. Serving one term, she remains a part of Montana political history for that milestone. After leaving office in January 2005, her public profile receded from the front rank of state politics. She died in October 2017 at the age of 74.

Key facts

  • Full name: Judy Martz
  • Born: July 28, 1943
  • Died: October 30, 2017
  • Office: 23rd Governor of Montana (2001–2005)
  • Election: Elected November 7, 2000; inaugurated January 1, 2001
  • Party: Republican
  • Historic note: First woman elected governor of Montana

For official election records and additional details about her administration, see the election entry and state pages: 2000 election information and Montana state records.