Judy Martz
| Judy Martz | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 22nd Governor of Montana | |
|
In office January 1, 2001 – January 3, 2005 |
|
| Lieutenant | Karl Ohs |
| Preceded by | Marc Racicot |
| Succeeded by | Brian Schweitzer |
| 31st Lieutenant Governor of Montana | |
|
In office January 6, 1997 – January 1, 2001 |
|
| Governor | Marc Racicot |
| Preceded by | Denny Rehberg |
| Succeeded by | Karl Ohs |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Judy Morstein July 28, 1943 Big Timber, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Harry Martz |
| Alma mater | Montana State University, Billings |
| Religion | Christianity |
Judy Martz (born July 28, 1943) was the 22nd Governor of Montana, having served a single term from January 1, 2001, to January 3, 2005.
Martz was born July 28, 1943 in Big Timber, Montana as Judy Morstein. She graduated from Butte High School in 1961, and attended Eastern Montana College. Martz' father was a miner and rancher, and her mother was, at various times, a cook, liquor-store clerk and motel maid.
Martz was a speed skater at the 1964 Olympics (1500 metres), 1962 Miss Rodeo Montana, and owner and operator, with her husband, Harry, of a garbage disposal service in her hometown of Butte, Montana. She was one of the first two Montana women to appear in the Olympics.
In 1996 Martz became the first female Lieutenant Governor of Montana, elected with Marc Racicot. She served as Lieutenant Governor from 1997 to 2001. She was Montana's first female governor.
In the Montana gubernatorial election of 2000, Martz won the Republican primary over conservative activist and University of Montana law professor Rob Natelson 57 percent to 43 percent. She would go on to defeat her Democratic opponent, State Auditor Mark O'Keefe, in the general election by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent. Upon becoming Governor, Martz' first legislative session resulted in the single largest increase in the education budget in Montana history, as well as tax cuts intended to stimulate the stagnant state economy.
Martz was put under a statewide microscope in November 2001 when a 1999 real estate deal between the Martzes and ARCO was uncovered. The Martz family had a ranch that adjoined another large parcel of land that was owned by the ARCO company, at that time ARCO sold that land at an allegedly low value to the Martz family. The state Democratic Party alleged that Martz had assisted ARCO in her position as Lieutenant Governor. However, the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices found that the allegations lacked merit. Also during her term, her chief policy adviser, Shane Hedges, was involved in a drunk driving accident near Marysville, Montana in August 2001, after which he went to Martz's residence, where she washed his clothes.House Majority Leader Paul Sliter died in the accident. Martz's policy advisor promptly resigned and pled guilty to a charge of negligent homicide.
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