John Bohlinger
| John Bohlinger | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 29th Lieutenant Governor of Montana | |
| In office January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2013 |
|
| Governor | Brian Schweitzer |
| Preceded by | Karl Ohs |
| Succeeded by | John Walsh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 21, 1936 Bozeman, Montana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Seiler |
| Profession | Businessman |
John Bohlinger, Jr. (born April 21, 1936) was the 29th Lieutenant Governor of Montana, having served from January 2005 to January 2013. Bohlinger ran for lieutenant governor as a Republican on a bipartisan ticket headed by Democrat Brian Schweitzer. Schweitzer and Bohlinger were elected governor and lieutenant governor in the 2004 election and both were reelected in the 2008 election. Due to term limits, they were unable to run in the 2012 election.
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Early life, education, and military and business career [edit]
Bohlinger was born in Bozeman, Montana in 1936 to John and Aileen Bohlinger. In 1941, the family moved to Billings, Montana where his parents operated a women's apparel store, Aileen's.[1]
While enrolled at Billings Senior High School, Bohlinger enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He went on to the University of Montana where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. The Marine Corps called him to service after his sophomore year and he completed his university career after completing his service with the Marine Corps. Bohlinger spent the next 33 years as a small businessman working in the family clothing business.[2] He was the husband of Bette Cobetto, who died of cancer on January 9, 2006. Bohlinger married Karen Seiler in Helena on January 12, 2008.[3]
Political career [edit]
Bohlinger served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives and was then twice elected to the Montana State Senate. He resigned his Senate seat as he assumed the office of Lieutenant Governor.
On the 2004 Democratic gubernatorial ticket, Bohlinger, a Republican, joined with Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat. There was no precedent in Montana for a gubernatorial ticket where the candidates belonged to different parties. The ticket prevailed, and Bohlinger was inaugurated as Lieutenant Governor of Montana on January 3, 2005. The Schweitzer-Bohlinger team was reelected to a second term on November 4, 2008.
References [edit]
- ^ mt.gov. "Biography: Lt. Governor John Bohlinger". Retrieved April 5, 2011.
- ^ Project Vote Smart. "Lieutenant Governor John C. Bohlinger (MT)". Retrieved April 5, 2011.
- ^ Schweitzer Bohlinger 2008. "Meet John". Retrieved April 4, 2011.
External links [edit]
- Bohlinger biography
- Schweitzer Bohlinger official campaign site
| Preceded by Karl Ohs |
Lieutenant Governor of Montana 2005–2013 |
Succeeded by John Walsh |
