John Bohlinger

John Bohlinger Jr. is an American politician and businessman who served as the 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 2005 to 2013. He ran for the office as a Republican on a bipartisan ticket headed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzer. Schweitzer and Bohlinger were elected to the governorship and lieutenant governorship in 2004; both were reelected in 2008. Due to term limits, they were unable to run in the 2012 election. Bohlinger switched to the [Democratic Party (United States)| Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party] in 2013.

Early life, education and private 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.

Early political career

Bohlinger served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives and was then twice elected to the Montana Senate. He resigned his Montana Senate seat as he assumed the office of lieutenant governor.

Lieutenant Governor of Montana

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 reelected to a second term, on November 4, 2008.

2014 U.S. Senate election

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 U.S. 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. He was replaced by Amanda Curtis.

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. They have since divorced.