History of the Office

The current secretary, Christi Jacobsen, took office in January 2021 and is the 22nd person to hold the office since Montana became a state in 1889. Frank Murray holds the record for the longest term in office: 24 years, from 1957 to 1981. The record for the shortest term goes to Robert Hawkins, who served for not quite two months in 1927.

In 1992, Montanans passed a constitutional initiative (CI 64) establishing limits on how long legislators and elected executive officers can hold office. As a result, beginning with Secretary of State Bob Brown, no one may serve longer than eight consecutive years in the position.​​

January 2021-Present Republican
Corey Stapleton January 2017 – 2020 Republican
	Linda McCulloch January 2009 – January 2017 Democrat		Brad Johnson January 2005 – 2009 Republican
	Bob Brown January 2001 – January 2005 Republican		Mike Cooney January 1989 – January 2001 Democrat
	Verner Bertelsen April 1988 – January 1989 Republican (Appointed)		Jim Waltermire January 1981 – April 1988 Republican (Died while in office)
	Frank Murray January 1957 – January 1981 Democrat		S.C. Arnold June 1955 – January 1957 Republican (Appointed)
	Sam W. Mitchell January 1933 – June 1955 Democrat (Died while in office)		William E. Harmon January 1929 – January 1933 Republican
	John W. Mountjoy April 1928 – January 1929 Democrat		William Powers May 1927 – April 1928 Party affiliation unknown(Resigned)
	Robert N. Hawkins March 1927 – April 1927 Democrat (Resigned)		Charles T. Stewart January 1917 – March 1927 Republican (Impeached, resigned)
	Adelbert M. Alderson January 1913 – December 1916 Democrat		Thomas M. Swindlehurst August 1911 – January 1913 Democrat
	Abraham N. Yoder January 1905 – August 1911 Republican (Died while in office)		George M. Hays January 1901 – January 1905 Democrat
	T.S. Hogan January 1897 – January 1901 Populist		Louis Rotwitt November 1889 – January 1897 Republican