John Walsh, Montana Class II Senate
Senate Links: John Walsh (D-MT-Senate)i 
Campaign links: John Walsh (D-MT-Senate)i
John E. Walsh
John Walsh 2014 Senatorial Candidate Montana Class II (Withdrew)
***August 07, 2014 “HELENA — Sen. John Walsh said Thursday he is pulling out of the Senate race because his campaign was distracted by the controversy over allegations that he plagiarized a U.S. Army War College research paper.” from the Gazette State Bureau. The Montana Democratic Party’s rules that govern selection of a replacement candidate are found here.***
February 2014: 6th Senate confirms Baucus as Ambassador to China. 7th Montana Lt. Gov. Walsh appointed by Governor Steve Bullock to complete term. 11th Walsh is sworn in as Montana Class II Senator.
Biography of John Walsh from Senate.gov
Senator John Walsh is proud to continue serving the people of Montana. Born and raised in Butte, Walsh is the son of a union pipefitter and a homemaker. He graduated from Butte High in 1979 and enlisted in the Montana National Guard the same year. He began college at Carroll College in Helena, and became the first person in his family to graduate college, earning degrees from University of the State of New York and the U.S. Army War College.
From 1979 until 1987, Walsh served in the enlisted ranks of the Montana National Guard. In 1987, Walsh was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Through hard work and dedication, he became the Adjutant General of Montana’s National Guard. In 2004 and 2005, Walsh led over 700 soldiers into combat in Iraq – the largest deployment of Montana soldiers and airmen since WWII. For his distinguished service, Walsh is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit Award, and Combat Infantry Badge.
In 2012, Walsh retired from the Montana National Guard and served as Montana’s 30th Lieutenant Governor, working to balance the budget, improve Montana’s school system, and strengthen laws on child abuse.
Walsh was sworn into office on February 11, 2014, becoming one of Montana’s U.S. Senators and the first Iraq veteran to serve in the United States Senate. He has been selected to serve on four committees:
- Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry: Oversees policy affecting agricultural production as well as national forests and timber, including implementation of the recently-passed Farm Bill. Walsh is the only member of the Montana delegation to sit on an agriculture committee.
- Commerce, Science and Transportation: Has jurisdiction over a large range of issues affecting Montana including highway safety, energy, the Essential Air Service, railroads and freight, tourism, and economic development. The committee also oversees telecommunications issues, giving Walsh the opportunity to focus on Montanans in rural areas having access to phone and internet services.
- Rules and Administration: Allows Walsh to have a direct influence on improving transparency and accountability in Congress.
- Special Committee on Aging: Addresses policies and issues affecting Montana’s and America’s seniors, including protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Walsh is married to Janet, his wife of 29 years. Janet has been a paraeducator in the Montana public schools system for 17 years. They have two sons, Michael and Taylor, a daughter-in-law, April, and a granddaughter, Kennedy.
Biography of John Walsh from Walsh for Montana
Born and raised in Butte, John Walsh has dedicated his career to public service. The son of a union pipefitter, John graduated high school in 1979 and went on to become the first member of his family to graduate college, attending Carroll College, The University of the State of New York, and the U.S. Army War College. He enlisted in the National Guard as a private, working hard and rising through the ranks to become adjutant general, leading the Montana National Guard.
As a battalion commander, John led more than 700 brave men and women overseas to Iraq in the largest deployment of Montana National Guard soldiers and airmen since WWII. As Adjutant General, he continued his life of service, preparing Montana’s service members for deployments and making sure they received the benefits they earned and deserve. During his time as adjutant general, John championed the Yellow Ribbon program, an initiative that provides valuable resources to National Guard members and their families at all stages of their deployment and ensures Guard members get their well-earned services and benefits when they return home. Montana’s successful Yellow Ribbon program became a blueprint for similar efforts nationwide.
After 33 years of distinguished service, John retired from the National Guard and was elected by the people of Montana to the office of Lieutenant Governor, serving with Governor Steve Bullock. As Montana’s 30th Lieutenant Governor, John Walsh fought to balance the budget, enact tax cuts for small businesses, invest in Montana’s schools, and toughen laws against child abuse.
Throughout his career of service, John Walsh has brought his Montana values to each leadership role he has taken on by having the courage to do what’s right for Montana, and defending and protecting Montana’s most vulnerable citizens.
John looks forward to continuing to serve Montanans in the U.S. Senate, bringing Montana’s values and voice to a broken Washington. He believes that taking an oath to serve as an elected official is a responsibility to be taken seriously and will fight tirelessly for what is right for Montana – just as he fought to defend our country during his 33-year career in the National Guard.
John met his wife Janet, who has worked in Montana’s public schools for 17 years, while both were enrolled at Carroll College. They have been happily married for 29 years. Together, they have two sons, Michael and Taylor, a daughter-in-law, April, and a granddaughter, Kennedy.
