Mike Cooney

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Mike Cooney
BornMichael R. Cooney
September 3, 1954
BirthplaceWashington, D.C., U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, public administrator
Known for36th Lieutenant Governor of Montana, 17th Secretary of State of Montana
EducationUniversity of Montana (BS)
Spouse(s)DeeAnn Gribble
Children3

Michael R. Cooney (born September 3, 1954) is an American politician who has held a series of prominent offices in the state of Montana over a career spanning more than four decades. He served as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 2016 to 2021 under Governor Steve Bullock, as the 17th Secretary of State of Montana from 1989 to 2001, as a member of both chambers of the Montana Legislature, and as president of the Montana Senate from 2007 to 2009. The grandson of Frank Henry Cooney, who served as the 8th Governor of Montana from 1933 to 1935, Cooney's family roots in Montana politics run deep. He first entered public office at the age of 22, winning a seat in the Montana House of Representatives in 1976. Over the following decades, he built a record of public service that included stints as executive director of Montana Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, division administrator in the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, and interim director of the Montana Historical Society. In 2020, Cooney was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Montana, losing the general election to Republican U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte. As of 2024, he was the most recent Democrat to have been elected as Lieutenant Governor of Montana.[1][2]

Early Life

Michael R. Cooney was born on September 3, 1954, in Washington, D.C. He is a member of a prominent Montana political family; his grandfather, Frank Henry Cooney, served as the 8th Governor of Montana from 1933 until his death in office in 1935.[3] This family legacy in Montana public life would shape Cooney's own trajectory into politics and government service.

Cooney grew up with an awareness of Montana's political traditions and public affairs. As a young man, he pursued higher education at the University of Montana, where he studied as an undergraduate. It was during his time at the university that Cooney developed an interest in government and public policy that would define his professional life.[1] He entered electoral politics at a remarkably young age, launching his first campaign for the Montana House of Representatives while still in his early twenties.

Education

Cooney attended the University of Montana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.[4][1] His undergraduate studies coincided with and informed his early entry into Montana politics.

Career

Montana House of Representatives (1977–1981)

Cooney's political career began in 1976 when, at the age of 22, he ran for the Montana House of Representatives from the 83rd district.[5] He won the seat, succeeding Al Luebeck, and took office on January 3, 1977. Cooney served two terms in the House, representing the 83rd district until January 3, 1981.[6][7] He was succeeded in the seat by Dave Brown. His time in the House provided an early foundation in legislative process and state governance that would serve him throughout his subsequent career.

Secretary of State of Montana (1989–2001)

After a period away from elected office during the 1980s, Cooney returned to the political arena in a significant way when he was elected as the 17th Secretary of State of Montana. He took office on January 3, 1989, succeeding Verner Bertelsen.[4] As Secretary of State, Cooney served as the state's chief elections officer, overseeing voting processes and maintaining official state records. He served under three different governors during his tenure: Stan Stephens, Marc Racicot, and Judy Martz.

Cooney held the Secretary of State position for three consecutive terms, serving a total of twelve years until January 3, 2001. His long tenure in the office made him one of the more prominent statewide elected officials in Montana during the 1990s. He was succeeded as Secretary of State by Bob Brown.[4]

2000 Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2000, while still serving as Secretary of State, Cooney ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Montana. He selected Wyatt as his running mate for the gubernatorial race.[8][9] The campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, and the governorship was won by Republican Judy Martz.[10]

Public Service Between Elected Offices (2001–2003)

After leaving the Secretary of State's office in 2001, Cooney transitioned into nonprofit and public administration work. He served as the executive director of Montana Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, a position he held from 2001 to 2006. In this role, Cooney worked on maternal and infant health initiatives in the state, a departure from the electoral and administrative functions of his prior positions.[4]

Montana Senate (2003–2011)

Cooney returned to the Montana Legislature in 2003 when he won a seat in the Montana Senate representing the 26th district. He succeeded Mignon Waterman in that seat and served from January 13, 2003, to January 3, 2005.[4] He was succeeded in the 26th district by Lynda Moss.

Beginning in 2005, Cooney represented the 40th district in the Montana Senate, succeeding Angela McLean. He served this district from January 3, 2005, to January 3, 2011, and was succeeded by Mary Caferro.[4]

President of the Montana Senate (2007–2009)

Cooney's most prominent role during his time in the state Senate came when he was elected president of the Montana Senate, serving in that capacity from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2009. In this position, he succeeded Jon Tester, who had departed the Montana Senate after winning election to the United States Senate in 2006. Cooney was in turn succeeded as Senate president by Robert Story.[4] As president of the Montana Senate, Cooney presided over the chamber's proceedings and played a key role in the legislative process during the 2007 session.

Montana Department of Labor and Industry and Historical Society (2006–2016)

Even while serving in the Montana Senate, Cooney took on additional public service roles. He served as division administrator of the Workforce Services Division at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry from 2006 to 2015.[4]

In 2010, Cooney was appointed to lead the Montana Historical Society on an interim basis, serving as its director from 2010 to 2011.[11]

After leaving the Montana Senate in 2011, Cooney continued his work in state government. From 2015 to 2016, he served as deputy commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, the role he held immediately before being appointed lieutenant governor.[4]

Lieutenant Governor of Montana (2016–2021)

On January 4, 2016, Cooney was sworn in as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of Montana after being selected by Governor Steve Bullock to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Angela McLean.[12] McLean had resigned from the position amid reported frustrations with the role.[13] Bullock's selection of Cooney was announced in late 2015, drawing on Cooney's extensive experience in Montana government.[14]

As lieutenant governor, Cooney served as president of the Montana Senate and was first in the line of succession to the governorship. He was subsequently elected alongside Bullock in the November 2016 general election and served the full term through January 4, 2021. He was succeeded as lieutenant governor by Kristen Juras, who took office alongside Governor Greg Gianforte.[12]

During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Cooney also served national roles within the lieutenant governors' community. He was elected as the 59th chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, serving in that capacity from 2018 to 2019. He succeeded Matt Michels of South Dakota and was succeeded by Billy Nungesser of Louisiana.[4]

2020 Gubernatorial Campaign

With Governor Steve Bullock term-limited and unable to seek reelection, Cooney entered the 2020 race for Governor of Montana as a Democrat. The campaign represented his second attempt at the state's highest office, two decades after his unsuccessful 2000 bid.[15]

Cooney campaigned on his lengthy record of public service in the state, emphasizing his experience across multiple branches and levels of Montana government. His campaign style reflected his long-standing approach to Montana politics; as one profile noted, he had built his career through a combination of family political legacy and persistent grassroots effort.[3][16]

During the campaign, the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Cooney for governor, citing his record on equality issues.[17]

The race attracted national attention and significant outside spending. The Republican Governors Association ran advertising campaigns against Cooney during the general election season, targeting his record and campaign conduct.[18]

In the November 2020 general election, Cooney lost to Republican nominee Greg Gianforte, who had been serving as Montana's at-large member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The result continued a trend of Republican strength in Montana statewide elections and marked the end of Cooney's second gubernatorial bid.[15]

Personal Life

Mike Cooney is married to DeeAnn Gribble. The couple has three children.[4] Cooney's family has deep roots in Montana politics through his grandfather, Frank Henry Cooney, who served as Governor of Montana from 1933 to 1935. Frank Henry Cooney had previously served as Lieutenant Governor before ascending to the governorship upon the death of Governor John Edward Erickson's successor, and he himself died in office in 1935.[3]

Cooney's political career in Montana has spanned parts of five decades, from his first election to the state House of Representatives in 1976 through his service as lieutenant governor ending in 2021. Throughout his career, he has been based in the Helena area, the state capital, which served as his home district during his time in the Montana Senate.[1]

Recognition

Cooney's career in Montana politics has been marked by a series of leadership positions across both the legislative and executive branches of state government. His election as president of the Montana Senate in 2007 placed him in one of the most influential positions in the state legislature, a role previously held by Jon Tester before Tester's election to the U.S. Senate.[4]

His selection as chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association in 2018 represented national recognition of his role among the country's lieutenant governors. The one-year chairmanship placed Cooney in a leadership position among his counterparts from all 50 states.[4]

The endorsement by the Human Rights Campaign during the 2020 gubernatorial race highlighted his record on civil rights issues during his time in state government.[19]

Legacy

Mike Cooney's career represents one of the longer continuous records of public service in modern Montana politics. From his first election to the Montana House of Representatives in 1976 at age 22 to the end of his term as lieutenant governor in January 2021, he served in or adjacent to state government for the better part of 45 years. His service encompassed both chambers of the Montana Legislature, the statewide elected office of Secretary of State, the lieutenant governorship, and multiple appointed positions in state agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Cooney's career is also notable for its connection to Montana's broader political history. As the grandson of Governor Frank Henry Cooney, he carried forward a family tradition of Democratic politics in the state. His own service as lieutenant governor created a multi-generational link to the executive branch of Montana government.

As of 2024, Cooney remained the most recent Democrat to have been elected as Lieutenant Governor of Montana, a distinction reflecting the increasing Republican orientation of statewide elections in the state during the early 2020s. His 2020 loss to Greg Gianforte in the gubernatorial race marked a transition point in Montana politics, as Republicans consolidated control of the state's executive branch.[15]

His twelve-year tenure as Secretary of State from 1989 to 2001 represented one of the longer periods of service in that office in Montana history, spanning three different gubernatorial administrations. His work in the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and his interim leadership of the Montana Historical Society further demonstrated a commitment to state government service that extended beyond elected positions.[4][20]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Mike Cooney". 'Explore Big Sky}'. April 7, 2020. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  2. ↑ "Mike Cooney chosen as Montana's next lieutenant governor".Helena Independent Record.http://helenair.com/news/politics/mike-cooney-chosen-as-montana-s-next-lieutenant-governor/article_1d3bf1d1-2736-53e0-b6a2-d096a3d01ca6.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Mike Cooney: Blood and shoe leather".Helena Independent Record.http://helenair.com/news/mike-cooney-blood-and-shoe-leather/article_6377994a-f295-5d34-a5e2-333652d79bdd.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 "Mike Cooney – Biography". 'Vote Smart}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  5. ↑ "Primary Election Returns, 1976". 'Montana Secretary of State}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  6. ↑ "Returns by District, 1976". 'Montana Secretary of State}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ↑ "Primary Election Returns, 1978". 'Montana Secretary of State}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Wyatt is Cooney's running mate".Missoulian.http://missoulian.com/wyatt-is-cooney-s-running-mate/article_e60f2028-5de1-5319-ada9-5ddc42c8fb8e.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  9. ↑ "Cooney picks Wyatt as running mate".Helena Independent Record.http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/cooney-picks-wyatt-as-running-mate/article_a6a3acc0-a5ff-59d9-ab69-59fc0389aa2c.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  10. ↑ "Race Detail – 2000 Montana Governor". 'Our Campaigns}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  11. ↑ "Mike Cooney to lead Montana Historical Society on interim basis". 'KXLF}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Cooney sworn in as lieutenant governor".Great Falls Tribune.January 4, 2016.http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2016/01/04/cooney-sworn-lieutenant-governor/78264988/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  13. ↑ "Bullock: McLean's frustrations as lieutenant governor disruptive".Missoulian.http://missoulian.com/news/local/bullock-mclean-s-frustrations-as-lieutenant-governor-disruptive/article_5d79ba1e-7462-5139-b072-cf9ac263c85c.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  14. ↑ "Bullock names Mike Cooney as new lieutenant governor".Missoulian.http://missoulian.com/news/local/bullock-names-mike-cooney-as-new-lieutenant-governor/article_affa9945-2fe5-5411-a681-3c846b109e5a.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 RagarShayleeShaylee"2020 Candidate Profile: Mike Cooney For Governor".Montana Public Radio.October 19, 2020.https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2020-10-19/2020-candidate-profile-mike-cooney-for-governor.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  16. ↑ "Cooney campaigns door to door".Montana Standard.http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/cooney-campaigns-door-to-door/article_c1195f72-85ae-51fe-8458-00faededafee.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  17. ↑ "HRC Endorses Montana Champions for Equality Mike Cooney, State Leg Leaders". 'Human Rights Campaign}'. August 13, 2020. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  18. ↑ "RGA Releases New Ad Campaign Targeting Mike Cooney's Second Ethics Violation Of The Campaign". 'Republican Governors Association}'. October 20, 2020. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  19. ↑ "HRC Endorses Montana Champions for Equality Mike Cooney, State Leg Leaders". 'Human Rights Campaign}'. August 13, 2020. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  20. ↑ "Mike Cooney to lead Montana Historical Society on interim basis". 'KXLF}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.

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