Marc Racicot
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Marc F. Racicot (pronounced /ˈrɑːskoʊ/, like "Roscoe") (born July 24, 1948) is a U.S. politician and lobbyist and member of the Republican Party. He was the governor of Montana from 1993 until 2001. After leaving office, Racicot worked as a lobbyist for the law firm Bracewell & Patterson. His notable clients included Enron, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Recording Industry Association of America[1]. He also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2002 until 2003, when he was appointed as the chairman of the Bush re-election campaign. In 2000 as well as 2004 he was rumored to be Bush's choice for Attorney General. The Washington Post has described him as "one of Bush's closest friends and advisers"[2]
In 1992 incumbent Governor Stan Stephens declined to run because of health problems. Racico then competed with Democrat Dorothy Bradley of Bozeman. With taxes the main campaign issue, both candidates calling for a 4 percent sales tax but differed on how to spend such a tax. Racicot barely prevailed, 51-49 percent.
In 1996 Racicot ran for reelection against long-time state legislator Democrat Chet Blaylock. Polls showed that Racicot maintained a sizable lead over Blaylock during the campaign.[3] A few weeks before the election however, Blaylock unexpectedly died of a heart attack on the way to a debate.[3] Reluctantly, his little known running mate, Judy Jacobson continued the drive but had little time to launch her own campaign. Because the election was so near, the voting ballots could not be changed from Blaylock to Jacobson. In one of the largest margins in state history, Racicot beat the deceased Blaylock, 79% - 21%. As Governor, he was supportive of and signed into law a very sweeping deregulation of Montana's utilities--the result of which was a drastic raise in rates for most of the power customers in Montana.
Currently, Racicot serves as President of the American Insurance Association (AIA), an insurance industry lobbying group[4].
Prior to being elected governor of Montana, he served as a prosecutor in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army (1973-1976), as deputy county attorney for Missoula County (1976-1977), as assistant attorney general and special prosecutor for the state of Montana (1977-1988) and as Montana attorney general (1988-1993). Racicot received an undergraduate degree from Carroll College and a law degree from the University of Montana.
He serves as a current board member for Jobs for America’s Graduates and the Board of Visitors of University of Montana School of Law, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a division of which is AmeriCorps. He has also served on the Board of the Lewis & Clark County United Way, and is a past chairman of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, where his predecessor was former Secretary of State Colin Powell. He is a director of Massachusetts Mutual Life Association and a former partner at the Texas-based law firm Bracewell & Giuliani.
[edit] References
- ^ The GOP's New Lobbyist in Chief (washingtonpost.com)
- ^ 2000 Presidential Election
- ^ a b "Montana Candidate Dies Before Debate", New York Times, October 24, 1996.
- ^ www.aiadc.org/AIApub/
[edit] Electoral history
- 1996 Race for Governor
- Marc Racicot (R) (inc.), 79%
- Chet Blaylock (D), 21%
- 1992 Race for Governor
- Marc Racicot (R), 51%
- Dorothy Bradley (D), 49%
| Preceded by Stan Stephens |
Governor of Montana 1993–2001 |
Succeeded by Judy Martz |
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