Greg Gianforte

Greg Gianforte
Born	Gregory Richard Gianforte 17 4, 1961
Birthplace	San Diego, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, software engineer
Title	25th Governor of Montana
Known for	Co-founder of RightNow Technologies; 25th Governor of Montana
Education	Stevens Institute of Technology (BS, MS)
Spouse(s)	Susan Gianforte
Children	4
Awards	Honorary doctorate, Montana State University

Gregory Richard Gianforte (Template:IPAc-en; born April 17, 1961) is an American politician, businessman, and software engineer serving as the 25th governor of Montana since January 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Gianforte previously represented Montana's at-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2017 to 2021. Before entering politics, he co-founded RightNow Technologies, a customer relationship management software company based in Bozeman, Montana, which was acquired by Oracle Corporation for approximately $1.5 billion in 2011. That business success made Gianforte one of the wealthiest members of Congress during his time in the House. His political career has not been without controversy; on the eve of his 2017 special election victory, he was charged with misdemeanor assault after an altercation with a reporter from The Guardian, to which he later pleaded guilty. Gianforte first sought the governorship in 2016, losing to incumbent Steve Bullock, but won the office in 2020 by defeating lieutenant governor Mike Cooney. He became the first Republican governor of Montana since Judy Martz left office in 2005. In 2024, Gianforte won re-election, defeating Democrat Ryan Busse and becoming the first Republican elected governor of Montana twice since Marc Racicot in 1996. As governor, he has pursued policies focused on occupational licensing reform, property tax relief, and workforce development.

Early Life

Gregory Richard Gianforte was born on April 17, 1961, in San Diego, California. He grew up in the Philadelphia area, specifically in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. His father, Frank Gianforte, was an engineer who influenced his son's interest in technology and entrepreneurship. His mother, Dale Gianforte, was also a figure of importance in his upbringing.

Gianforte has spoken publicly about his early interest in computers and technology, which took root during his youth in the Philadelphia suburbs. This early aptitude for engineering and problem-solving would shape his academic and professional trajectory. He attended local schools in the King of Prussia area before pursuing higher education in engineering at a nearby institution in New Jersey.

Education

Gianforte attended the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in engineering. Stevens Institute, a private research university known for its engineering and technology programs, provided Gianforte with a strong technical foundation. His education there equipped him with skills in both software engineering and business that he would later apply to founding multiple technology companies. Gianforte has maintained ties with the academic community in Montana; he received an honorary doctorate from Montana State University in recognition of his contributions to the state's technology sector and economy.

Career

Technology Entrepreneur

After completing his education, Gianforte embarked on a career in the technology industry. He gained experience in the software sector before co-founding his own ventures. His entrepreneurial ambitions eventually brought him to Montana, where he established what would become his most significant business enterprise.

In 1997, Gianforte and his wife, Susan, co-founded RightNow Technologies in Bozeman, Montana. The company developed customer relationship management (CRM) software designed to help organizations manage customer interactions and improve service. RightNow Technologies grew substantially during the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming one of the notable technology firms in the region.

The company went public in 2004, and by that time it employed over 1,000 workers, making it a major employer in the Bozeman area. RightNow Technologies established Bozeman as an unlikely technology hub, demonstrating that a software company could thrive outside the traditional technology corridors of Silicon Valley or the East Coast.

On October 24, 2011, Oracle Corporation announced that it had agreed to acquire RightNow Technologies for approximately $1.5 billion. The acquisition was one of the largest technology deals involving a Montana-based company and cemented Gianforte's reputation as one of the most successful technology entrepreneurs in the Rocky Mountain region. The sale also significantly increased Gianforte's personal wealth, later making him among the wealthiest members of the U.S. Congress during his time in the House.

2016 Gubernatorial Campaign

Gianforte entered politics in 2016, running as the Republican nominee for governor of Montana. He campaigned on his business background, presenting himself as an outsider who could apply private-sector principles to state government. However, he lost the general election to incumbent Democratic governor Steve Bullock, who secured a second term. The defeat did not end Gianforte's political ambitions; within months, a new opportunity would arise.

U.S. House of Representatives (2017–2021)

On March 1, 2017, Ryan Zinke was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the administration of President Donald Trump, vacating Montana's sole congressional seat. Gianforte quickly entered the race to fill the vacancy and won the Republican nomination.

The special election drew national attention. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Billings to campaign for Gianforte, underscoring the race's significance to the national Republican Party. Democrats nominated folk musician Rob Quist, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont visited Montana to campaign on Quist's behalf, highlighting the race's high profile.

Assault of Reporter Ben Jacobs

On the evening of May 24, 2017—the day before the special election—Gianforte was involved in a physical altercation with Ben Jacobs, a political reporter for The Guardian. According to witnesses and an audio recording of the incident, Gianforte "body-slammed" Jacobs after the reporter attempted to ask him a question about the American Health Care Act. Jacobs stated that Gianforte grabbed him by the neck, slammed him to the ground, and broke his glasses.

Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault. Despite the charges and widespread media coverage of the incident, Gianforte won the special election on May 25, 2017, defeating Quist. Many ballots had already been cast by mail before the incident occurred.

On June 12, 2017, Gianforte pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor assault charge in Gallatin County Justice Court. He was sentenced to a fine, community service, and anger management therapy. The court also ordered that his mugshot be released to the public. Gianforte issued an apology to Jacobs and donated $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The assault conviction made Gianforte one of the few sitting members of Congress to have a criminal conviction. The incident became a defining moment in his early political career and drew sustained national and international media attention.

Congressional Tenure

Gianforte took office on June 21, 2017, representing Montana's at-large congressional district. During his time in Congress, he was among the wealthiest members of the House of Representatives, owing to his earnings from the sale of RightNow Technologies.

In 2018, Gianforte won re-election to a full term, defeating Democratic nominee Kathleen Williams. He served in the House until January 3, 2021, when he was succeeded by Matt Rosendale. Rather than seeking a third term, Gianforte chose to make a second run for the Montana governorship.

Governor of Montana (2021–present)

2020 Election

In the 2020 Montana gubernatorial election, Gianforte secured the Republican nomination and faced Democratic candidate Mike Cooney, who was serving as lieutenant governor under Steve Bullock. Bullock was term-limited and could not seek re-election. Gianforte won the general election, becoming the first Republican to serve as governor of Montana since Judy Martz left office in 2005. He was inaugurated on January 4, 2021, with Kristen Juras serving as lieutenant governor.

First Term

As governor, Gianforte has pursued a policy agenda emphasizing economic development, workforce expansion, and regulatory reform. He has focused on occupational licensing reform, seeking to reduce barriers to employment across multiple professions in Montana. In 2026, his administration began reviewing licensing rules affecting approximately 176,000 Montana jobs in preparation for the 2027 legislative session, exploring the possibility of streamlining requirements for occupations ranging from boiler operators to dentists.

Property tax policy has also been a focus of his administration. Gianforte promoted the "Homestead Reduced Rate" program, reminding Montana homeowners of the March 1 deadline to apply for lower property tax rates for the 2026 fiscal year. However, Gianforte's own use of a homestead tax exemption drew scrutiny in December 2025 when the Montana Free Press reported that he claimed the homestead tax treatment for his longtime Bozeman property, even though the governor is required to "reside" in Helena. The homestead treatment requires owners to occupy the property as a primary residence.

In 2025, Montana experienced a significant wildfire season. Gianforte noted that the state's wildland firefighters "fared very well" that year, and his administration released statistics on wildfires under the jurisdiction of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).

Gianforte has also been active in education and workforce development initiatives. In February 2026, he visited Great Falls High School to discuss career opportunities with students, emphasizing the importance of career paths in technology and business. He has also encouraged high school students across Montana to start chapters of Turning Point USA, the student organization founded by Charlie Kirk.

2024 Re-election

In the 2024 Montana gubernatorial election, Gianforte ran for a second term as governor. He faced Democratic nominee Ryan Busse in the general election and won, becoming the first Republican to be elected governor of Montana twice since Marc Racicot achieved the feat in 1996. The victory underscored the Republican Party's strengthened position in Montana politics during this period.

Personal Life

Gianforte and his wife, Susan, co-founded RightNow Technologies together in 1997 and have four children. The couple has long resided in the Bozeman area, where RightNow Technologies was headquartered. As of December 2025, Gianforte maintained a property in Bozeman for which he claimed a homestead tax exemption, despite the legal requirement for the governor to reside in Helena.

Gianforte's family roots trace to the Philadelphia area, where he grew up in King of Prussia. His father, Frank Gianforte, and his mother, Dale Gianforte, both played formative roles in his early life.

Through the sale of RightNow Technologies and other business ventures, Gianforte accumulated substantial personal wealth. During his time in Congress, he was ranked among the wealthiest members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Recognition

Gianforte has received recognition for his contributions to the technology sector and the Montana economy. Montana State University awarded him an honorary doctorate in acknowledgment of his role in building a technology industry presence in the state through RightNow Technologies.

The founding and growth of RightNow Technologies brought significant attention to Bozeman as a location for technology businesses. The company's growth from a startup to a firm employing more than 1,000 people, and its eventual $1.5 billion acquisition by Oracle, was covered by national business media outlets including Bloomberg News, Inc. magazine, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In politics, Gianforte's 2020 gubernatorial victory was noted as a significant shift in Montana's political landscape, ending a 16-year period of Democratic governors. His 2024 re-election further solidified this political realignment.