Judy Martz - Career

Career

In the Montana gubernatorial election of 2000, Martz defeated her Democratic opponent, Mark O'Keefe, by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent. Martz announced that she would not run for re-election as Governor in 2004.Martz's first legislative session resulted in the single largest increase in the education budget in Montana history and tax cuts intended to stimulate the stagnant state economy.Martz had her fair share of scandals, off-color statements, and questionable activities while she was in office, many of which led to her low approval rating during the remaining years of her term as governor (which were as low as 20% at one point).Her chief policy adviser, Shane Hedges, was involved in a drunk driving accident near Marysville, Montana in August 2001, after which he went to Martz's residence, where she washed his clothes. House Majority Leader Paul Sliter died in the accident. Martz's policy advisor promptly resigned and pled guilty to a charge of negligent homicide. Martz also was put under a state-wide microscope when a real estate deal between the Martzes and ARCO was uncovered. The Martz family had a ranch that adjoined another large parcel of land that was owned by the ARCO company, at that time ARCO sold that land at an allegedly low value to the Martz family. The state Democratic Party alleged that Martz had assisted ARCO in her position as Lieutenant Governor. The Montana Commissioner of Political Practices found that the allegations lacked merit. Martz finished her time in office campaigning for President Bush in Ohio, Arizona, and other swing states, and sparring with incoming Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer over transition of state government.In September 2005 Martz was named chair of Montanans for Judge Roberts (Chief Justice nominee John Glover Roberts, Jr.) and spoke at a rally in support of Roberts.