Overview:
Montana became the 41st state on 8 November 1889. With a 2004 population of 926,865, Montana is overwhelmingly (90.6%) white. The largest minority (6.2%) is Native American, followed by Asian (0.5%). About two-thirds of the population (609,422) is classified as rural. The state is much less densely populated than the nation, with 6.2 persons per square mile versus 79.6. (Census, USDA)
Presidential Votes:
2004 : Kerry (D) 38.6%, Bush (R) 59.1%
2000 : Gore (D) 33.4%, Bush (R) 58.4%, Nader (I) 6.0%
1996 : Clinton (D) 41.2%, Dole (R) 44.1%, Perot (I) 13.6%
Federal Representation:
Montana has one US Representative and two US Senators.
- Sen. Conrad Burns (D-2006) - first elected in 1988
- Sen. Max Baucus (D-2008) - first elected in 1978
- Rep. Dennis Rehberg (01-R)
State Government:
Governor Brian Schweitzer (D) was elected in 2004, as was Lt. Governor John Bohlinger (D).
The capitol is Helena; the state legislature has 50 seats in the Senate and 100 seats in the House. In the Senate, Democrats hold a four-seat majority; the House is evenly split.