Judith Helen Martz (née Morstein; July 28, 1943 – October 30, 2017) was an American politician, businesswoman, and Olympian speed skater who served as the 22nd governor of Montana from 2001 to 2005. A member of the Republican Party, she was the first woman to hold the office. She previously served as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 1997 to 2001 under the governorship of Marc Racicot.

Early life and education

Martz was born July 28, 1943, in Big Timber, Montana, as Judith Helen Morstein. Her father was a miner and rancher, and her mother was, at various times, a cook, liquor-store clerk and motel maid. Morstein graduated from Butte High School in 1961 and attended Eastern Montana College.

Career

Morstein was named Miss Rodeo Montana in 1962. She competed on the U.S. women's speed skating team at the 1964 Winter Olympics (1500 meters). She was one of the first two Montana women to appear in the Olympics.

Martz helped to establish the U.S. High Altitude Speed Skating Center in Butte. after her predecessor, Denny Rehberg, stepped down to run for U.S. Senate. Martz was the first female lieutenant governor in the state's history. In 1996, Martz was elected lieutenant governor as Racicot's running mate. despite being outspent by a three-to-one margin. Martz's running mate was Karl Ohs.

Martz "was noted for turning a state deficit into a surplus while reducing taxes and increasing funding for education. However, her term was besieged by missteps. Her popularity dropped to 20 percent at its low point".

Martz's chief policy adviser, Shane Hedges, was involved in an automobile accident near Marysville, Montana, in August 2001. Hedges was driving while intoxicated. Following the accident, Hedges went to Martz's residence, where she washed his clothes. House Majority Leader Paul Sliter died in the crash.

Martz announced that she would not run for re-election as governor in 2004.

Later career

In September 2005, Martz was named chair of Montanans for Judge Roberts, a group supportive of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, and spoke at a rally in support of Roberts. She also sat on the boards of Maternal Life International, University of Montana Western, Big Sky State Games, and TASER International, a company that manufacturers non-lethal electrical shock equipment for law enforcement, the military, and private individuals.

After leaving office, Martz "routinely addressed Christian organizations throughout the country and was part of a network that prays at locations across Montana".

Personal life

Martz and her husband, Harry, were married in 1965. They had two children: Justin and Stacey Jo.

On November 11, 2014, it was announced that Martz had stage II pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment in Arizona. She died of the disease on October 30, 2017, in Butte, Montana, at the age of 74.

Electoral history

See also

  • List of female governors in the United States
  • List of female lieutenant governors in the United States

References

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