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| During the 2012 campaign Attorney General and presumptive ] gubernatorial nominee ] selected Walsh to be his running mate. The ticket won over their ] challengers, former Congressman ] and his running mate, State Senator ].<ref>Charles S. Johnson, Billings Gazette, , November 7, 2012</ref> They assumed office in January 2013 upon the expiration of the term of Governor ] and Lieutenant Governor ].<ref>Charles S. Johnson, The Missoulian, , January 7, 2013</ref> | During the 2012 campaign Attorney General and presumptive ] gubernatorial nominee ] selected Walsh to be his running mate. The ticket won over their ] challengers, former Congressman ] and his running mate, State Senator ].<ref>Charles S. Johnson, Billings Gazette, , November 7, 2012</ref> They assumed office in January 2013 upon the expiration of the term of Governor ] and Lieutenant Governor ].<ref>Charles S. Johnson, The Missoulian, , January 7, 2013</ref> | ||
| ==2014 Senate |
==2014 U.S. Senate election== | ||
| {{Main|United States Senate election in Montana, 2014}} | {{Main|United States Senate election in Montana, 2014}} | ||
| On October 3, 2013, Walsh announced his intention to run in 2014 for the seat of retiring ] ]. The Democratic nomination will be contested, since in addition to Walsh, ] and former Montana Lieutenant Governor ] are running.<ref>KXLH, , November 7, 2013</ref> Walsh has been endorsed by Governor Bullock, Senator Baucus and Senator ]. | On October 3, 2013, Walsh announced his intention to run in 2014 for the seat of retiring ] ]. The Democratic nomination will be contested, since in addition to Walsh, ] and former Montana Lieutenant Governor ] are running.<ref>KXLH, , November 7, 2013</ref> Walsh has been endorsed by Governor Bullock, Senator Baucus and Senator ]. | ||
Revision as of 02:10, 31 January 2014
| John Walsh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 30th Lieutenant Governor of Montana | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2013 | |
| Governor | Steve Bullock |
| Preceded by | John Bohlinger |
| Adjutant General of Montana | |
| In office September 2008 – March 2012 | |
| Governor | Brian Schweitzer |
| Preceded by | Randall D. Mosley |
| Succeeded by | Joel Cusker (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1960-11-03) November 3, 1960 (age 64) Butte, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Janet Walsh |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Carroll College Excelsior College United States Army War College United States Army Command and General Staff College |
| Awards |  Bronze Star Medal Combat Infantryman Badge |
| Website | Government website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1979–2012 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General (Montana) |
| Unit |  Montana National Guard |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
John E. Walsh (born November 3, 1960) is the 30th and current Lieutenant Governor of Montana. He is the former Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard. A member of the Montana Democratic Party, he joined the campaign of Attorney General Steve Bullock, and was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2012.
Walsh has announced his intention to run for the US Senate in 2014.
Early life and education
Walsh was born on November 3, 1960 in Butte, Montana, and graduated from Butte High School in 1979. He attended Carroll College, received a Bachelor's degree from Regents College, the University of the State of New York (now Excelsior College) in 1990 and a Master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 1997.
He joined the Montana Army National Guard in 1979, and received his commission in 1987.
Walsh is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
Montana National Guard
He served in the Montana National Guard for thirty years. In this capacity he led 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment in combat in Iraq. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He also led operations of over 2,000 Guard members during Montana's 2000 wildfires.
In 2008 Walsh was appointed Adjutant General and received a state promotion to Brigadier General. After resigning in 2012 to run for Lieutenant Governor he continued to serve as a traditional National Guard member (one weekend drill per month, two weeks of annual training each year), and was appointed by his successor, to serve as the Montana Army National Guard's Land Component Commander. Walsh retired from the National Guard in December 2012.
Lieutenant Governor of Montana
During the 2012 campaign Attorney General and presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee Steve Bullock selected Walsh to be his running mate. The ticket won over their Republican challengers, former Congressman Rick Hill and his running mate, State Senator Jon Sonju. They assumed office in January 2013 upon the expiration of the term of Governor Brian Schweitzer and Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger.
2014 U.S. Senate election
Main article: United States Senate election in Montana, 2014On October 3, 2013, Walsh announced his intention to run in 2014 for the seat of retiring Senator Max Baucus. The Democratic nomination will be contested, since in addition to Walsh, Dirk Adams and former Montana Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger are running. Walsh has been endorsed by Governor Bullock, Senator Baucus and Senator Jon Tester.
In December 2013 the Montana Television Network reported that a 2010 Army Inspector General report concluded that Walsh had used the Adjutant General's post for "private gain." According to the report, Walsh used his position to "pressure" subordinates into joining the National Guard Association of the United States in an effort bolster Montana's membership numbers as a way to enhance Walsh's credentials during his candidacy for Vice President of NGAUS.
In response, Walsh stated that he disagreed with the IG, pointing out that he was not disciplined. Walsh went on to say that the IG report stemmed from a disagreement in interpreting the rules which govern when and how Department of Defense employees can take part in activities such as running for a NGAUS leadership position.
Walsh further pointed out that the NGAUS position is an uncompensated one which required him to travel to meetings at his own expense. In Walsh's defense, former Governor Brian Schweitzer said that when he received the report in 2010, he considered it "much ado about nothing."
Also in December 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Baucus to be the next Ambassador to China. If Baucus is confirmed by the Senate and resigns his Senate seat, Governor Bullock would be allowed to appoint a replacement, who would serve until the November 2014 election. Media reports have indicated that if Baucus resigns, Bullock will appoint Walsh.
In January 2014 Walsh confirmed that the 2010 Army Inspector General's report on his National Guard Association of the United States activities prevented him from receiving federal recognition as a general officer during his tenure as Adjutant General. (Adjutants General are normally federally recognized Major Generals, provided they meet all the eligibility criteria.) News accounts on the IG report also indicated that Walsh received a formal letter from General Peter W. Chiarelli, then the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, in which Chiarelli reminded Walsh of his obligation to remain impartial in his dealings with non-federal entities, such as NGAUS. Contemporary news accounts also indicated that then-Governor Schweitzer wrote to Chiarelli to state his confidence in Walsh's integrity and abilities, and to urge his promotion to the federally recognized general officer ranks.
Personal
Walsh met his wife of over 28 years, Janet, in college. The couple has two grown sons. Michael is a member of the National Guard and Taylor is pursuing an acting career.
References
- Martin J. Kidston, Helena Independent Record, New Adjutant General set to Take Command of Guard, September 5, 2008
- Kristin Price, Beartooth NBC, New Adjutant General, March 8, 2012
- Washington Post, Montana Democrats Get Higher Profile US Senate Candidate They Have Been Searching For, October 3, 2013
- Montana Democratic Party, Biography, John Walsh, 2012
- The Missoulian, Biography, John Walsh, March 8, 2012
- Charles S. Johnson, Billings Gazette, Bullock to Name Gen. Walsh as Running Mate, March 7, 2012
- Montana National Guard, Biography, John E. Walsh, 2008
- Montana Kiwanis, Speaker's biography, John Walsh, page 1, 2013
- Montana.Gov, Biography, Lieutenant Governor John Walsh, retrieved October 23, 2013
- Charles S. Johnson, Billings Gazette, Bullock Defeats Hill in Montana Governor Race, November 7, 2012
- Charles S. Johnson, The Missoulian, Bullock Sworn in as Montana's 24th Governor, January 7, 2013
- KXLH, Bohlinger announces candidacy for U.S. Senate, November 7, 2013
- Sanjay Talwani, KRTV-TV, Army Report Cites Walsh for Improper Private Gain During MT National Guard Service, December 28, 2013
- U.S. Army Inspector General, Report of Investigation, Colonel John E. Walsh, August 30, 2010
- Charles S. Johnson, Billings Gazette, Walsh disputes Army report he used National Guard General’s Post for Private Gain, December 28, 2013
- Army Times, Army IG: Mont. Politician Misused Adjutant General Position, December 31, 2013
- Daniel Strauss, Talking Points Memo, Obama Announces Nomination Of Max Baucus As China Ambassador, December 20, 2013
- Danny Vinik, Business Insider, Obama To Nominate Sen. Max Baucus As Ambassador To China, December 18, 2013
- David Parker, Robert Saldin, Washington Post, What Max Baucus’s Departure Means for the Montana Senate Race, December 19, 2013
- Mike Dennison, Montana Standard, Adverse Report Prevented Walsh From Promotion to Army General, January 18, 2014
- Montana Standard, Schweitzer Wrote Army Defending Walsh After IG Report, January 18, 2014
- Dan Bushnell, Big Sky Guardian, A New Era Begins for the Montana National Guard, Fall 2008, page 11
- Charles S. Johnson, The Missoulian, Democrat Bullock Taps Former Montana Adjutant General for Lieutenant Governor, March 8, 2012
External links
- Office of the Governor of Montana, Lieutenant Governor's Biography
- John Walsh at Ballotpedia
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byJohn Bohlinger | Lieutenant Governor of Montana 2013–present |
Incumbent |
| Lieutenant governors in the United States | |
|---|---|
| Vice President of the United States: ▌Kamala Harris (D) | |
| AL ▌Ainsworth (R) AK ▌Dahlstrom (R) AZ ▌Fontes (D) AR ▌Rutledge (R) CA ▌Kounalakis (D) CO ▌Primavera (D) CT ▌Bysiewicz (D) DE ▌Bullock (D)* FL ▌Nuñez (R) GA ▌Jones (R) HI ▌Luke (D) ID ▌Bedke (R) IL ▌Stratton (D) IN ▌Beckwith (R) IA ▌Cournoyer (R) KS ▌Toland (D) KY ▌Coleman (D) LA ▌Nungesser (R) ME ▌Daughtry (D) MD ▌Miller (D) MA ▌Driscoll (D) MI ▌Gilchrist (D) MN ▌Flanagan (DFL) MS ▌Hosemann (R) MO ▌Wasinger (R) MT ▌Juras (R) NE ▌Kelly (R) NV ▌Anthony (R) NH ▌Carson (R) NJ ▌Way (D) NM ▌Morales (D) NY ▌Delgado (D) NC ▌Hunt (D) ND ▌Strinden (R) OH ▌Husted (R) OK ▌Pinnell (R) OR ▌Read (D) PA ▌Davis (D) RI ▌Matos (D) SC ▌Evette (R) SD ▌Rhoden (R) TN ▌McNally (R) TX ▌Patrick (R) UT ▌Henderson (R) VT ▌Rodgers (R) VA ▌Sears (R) WA ▌Heck (D) WV ▌Smith (R) WI ▌Rodriguez (D) WY ▌Gray (R) Federal districts: DC ▌Mendelson (D)Territories: AS ▌Ae (R) GU ▌Tenorio (D) MP ▌Apatang (I) PR ▌Ferraiuoli (PNP/D)* VI ▌Roach (D) | |
| An asterisk indicates an Acting Lt. Governor
Italics indicate next-in-line of succession for states and territories without a directly elected lieutenant governor or whose lieutenant governor office is vacant:
|
- 1960 births
- American military personnel of the Iraq War
- Excelsior College alumni
- Lieutenant Governors of Montana
- Living people
- Montana Democrats
- National Guard of the United States officers
- People from Butte, Montana
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni
- United States Army generals
- United States Army War College alumni