John Bohlinger

For the American musician and writer, see John Bohlinger (musician).

John Bohlinger
File:John Bohlinger.jpg
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	(1936-04-21) April 21, 1936 Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
Political party	Republican (Before 2013) Independent (2013) Democratic (2013–present)
Spouse(s)	Bette Cobetto (Deceased) Karen Seiler
Alma mater	University of Montana, Missoula

John Bohlinger, Jr. (born April 21, 1936) is an American politician. He 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 Democratic gubernatorial candidate 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. While he began his political career as a member of the Republican Party, he is currently a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life, education, and military and business career

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.

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 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.

Political career

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 Democratic candidate Brian Schweitzer. 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 re-elected to a second term, on November 4, 2008.

2014 U.S. Senate Election

Main article: United States Senate election in Montana, 2014

On November 5, 2013, Bohlinger announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in 2014 for Montana's Class II U.S. Senate seat, to succeed the retiring Max Baucus. The Democratic nomination was won by US Senator John Walsh who had been appointed to fill the seat when Baucus resigned. Walsh dropped out of the race on August 7, following allegations of plagiarism.

Personal

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.

External links

• Bohlinger biography
• Schweitzer Bohlinger official 2008 campaign site

Political offices
Preceded by Karl Ohs	Lieutenant Governor of Montana 2005–2013	Succeeded by John Walsh