Marc Racicot
Encyclopedia
Marc F. Racicot 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 & Giuliani
. His notable clients included Enron
, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Recording Industry Association of America. 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
. During the 2000 election some saw him as a possible running mate for Bush. The Washington Post has described him as "one of Bush's closest friends and advisers".
and raised in Miles City
and Libby
.
(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 Juris Doctor
from the University of Montana.
declined to run because of health problems. Racicot 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 edged out Bradley, 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. A few weeks before the election however, Blaylock unexpectedly died of a heart attack on the way to a debate. 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 only be changed to show Jacobson running for both governor and lieutenant governor. In one of the largest margins in state history, Racicot beat Jacobson, 79%–21%.
As governor, Mr. Racicot approved legislation that deregulated the utility sector in Montana. This legislation was sought by the Montana Power Company
, the major utility supplier in the state. Following passage, the Montana Power Company divested itself of its utility operations and became a telecommunications company. The company filed for bankruptcy
a few years later.
The final result of this sweeping deregulation of Montana's utilities was a drastic rise in rates for most of the power customers in 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
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and lobbyist and member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He was the governor of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
from 1993 until 2001. After leaving office, Racicot worked as a lobbyist for the law firm Bracewell & Giuliani
Bracewell & Giuliani
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is an international law firm based in Houston, Texas, that began in 1945. The firm has over 470 lawyers, and has United States offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Hartford, San Antonio, Seattle, Dallas, and Austin, and overseas offices in Dubai, and London...
. His notable clients included Enron
Enron
Enron Corporation was an American energy, commodities, and services company based in Houston, Texas. Before its bankruptcy on December 2, 2001, Enron employed approximately 22,000 staff and was one of the world's leading electricity, natural gas, communications, and pulp and paper companies, with...
, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Recording Industry Association of America. He also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
from 2002 until 2003, when he was appointed as the chairman of the Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
re-election campaign. In 2000 as well as 2004 he was rumored to be Bush's choice for Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
. During the 2000 election some saw him as a possible running mate for Bush. The Washington Post has described him as "one of Bush's closest friends and advisers".
Early life
Racicot was born in Thompson Falls, MontanaThompson Falls, Montana
Thompson Falls is a city in and the county seat of Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,321 at the 2000 census.-History:...
and raised in Miles City
Miles City, Montana
Miles City is a city in and the county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States. The population was 8,123 at the 2010 census.- History :...
and Libby
Libby, Montana
Libby is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,626 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Libby is located at , along U.S. Route 2....
.
Public sector
Prior to being elected governor of Montana, he served as a prosecutor in the Army JAG CorpsJudge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army
The Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army is composed of Army officers who are also lawyers and who provide legal services to the Army at all levels of command. The Judge Advocate General's Legal Service includes judge advocates, warrant officers, paralegal noncommissioned...
(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
Carroll College (Montana)
Carroll College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Helena, Montana, USA. Carroll College has earned national and regional awards for its academic programs. Carroll's colors are purple and gold...
and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Montana.
Governor
In 1992 incumbent Governor Stan StephensStan Stephens
Stanley Graham Stephens is an American politician.Stephens was the 20th Governor of Montana from 1989 until 1993. He did not run for reelection in 1992 because of health reasons.Source:...
declined to run because of health problems. Racicot then competed with Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Dorothy Bradley
Dorothy Bradley
Dorothy Bradley was a U.S. politician from Montana. She was elected as the only woman in the Montana House of Representatives, where she served eight terms...
of Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
. With taxes the main campaign issue, both candidates calling for a 4 percent sales tax
Sales tax
A sales tax is a tax, usually paid by the consumer at the point of purchase, itemized separately from the base price, for certain goods and services. The tax amount is usually calculated by applying a percentage rate to the taxable price of a sale....
but differed on how to spend such a tax. Racicot edged out Bradley, 51–49 percent.
In 1996 Racicot ran for reelection against long-time state legislator Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Chet Blaylock
Chet Blaylock
Chester Merle "Chet" Blaylock was a U.S. politician born in Joliet, Montana. Blaylock served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Later he was a teacher for 30 years in Laurel and Chinook, Montana. He was a delegate to the Montana state Constitutional Convention in 1972 and a member of the...
. Polls showed that Racicot maintained a sizable lead over Blaylock during the campaign. A few weeks before the election however, Blaylock unexpectedly died of a heart attack on the way to a debate. 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 only be changed to show Jacobson running for both governor and lieutenant governor. In one of the largest margins in state history, Racicot beat Jacobson, 79%–21%.
As governor, Mr. Racicot approved legislation that deregulated the utility sector in Montana. This legislation was sought by the Montana Power Company
Montana Power Company
The Montana Power Company was an electric utility company based in Butte, Montana which provided electricity to Montana consumers and industry from 1912 to 1997.- History :...
, the major utility supplier in the state. Following passage, the Montana Power Company divested itself of its utility operations and became a telecommunications company. The company filed for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
a few years later.
The final result of this sweeping deregulation of Montana's utilities was a drastic rise in rates for most of the power customers in Montana.
Private sector
Racicot served as President of the American Insurance Association (AIA), an insurance industry lobbying group from June 13, 2005 to February 1, 2009.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
Corporation For National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and other national service initiatives...
, a division of which is AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
. 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
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
. He is a director of Massachusetts Mutual Life Association and a former partner at the Texas-based law firm Bracewell & Giuliani
Bracewell & Giuliani
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP is an international law firm based in Houston, Texas, that began in 1945. The firm has over 470 lawyers, and has United States offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Hartford, San Antonio, Seattle, Dallas, and Austin, and overseas offices in Dubai, and London...
.