John Walsh (U.S. politician)

John E. Walsh (born November 3, 1960) is the junior United States Senator from Montana, serving since February 9, 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a United States Army Brigadier General, the Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard from 2008 to 2012, and Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 2013 to 2014.

In October 2013, Walsh announced that he was running for the U.S. Senate in 2014 to succeed retiring Democratic incumbent Max Baucus. In February 2014, Governor Steve Bullock appointed Walsh to the seat to replace Baucus, who resigned to become United States Ambassador to China.

Early life and education
Walsh was born on November 3, 1960 in Butte, Montana, and graduated from Butte High School in 1979. He attended Carroll College, received a Bachelor's degree from Regents College, the University of the State of New York (now Excelsior College) in 1990 and a Master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in 1997.

He enlisted in the Montana Army National Guard after graduating from high school in 1979, and later received his commission as an officer in the Army National Guard in 1987.

Walsh is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

Montana National Guard
He served in the Montana National Guard for thirty years. In this capacity he led 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment in combat in Iraq. He earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He also led operations of over 2,000 Guard members during Montana's 2000 wildfires.

In 2008 Walsh was appointed Adjutant General and received a state promotion to Brigadier General. After resigning in 2012 to run for Lieutenant Governor he continued to serve as a traditional National Guard member (one weekend drill per month, two weeks of annual training each year), and was appointed by his successor, to serve as the Montana Army National Guard's Land Component Commander. Walsh retired from the National Guard in December 2012.

In December 2013 the Montana Television Network reported that a 2010 Army Inspector General report concluded that Walsh had used the Adjutant General's post for "private gain." According to the report, Walsh used his position to "pressure" subordinates into joining the National Guard Association of the United States in an effort bolster Montana's membership numbers as a way to enhance Walsh's credentials during his candidacy for Vice President of NGAUS.

In response, Walsh stated that he disagreed with the IG, pointing out that he was not disciplined. Walsh went on to say that the IG report stemmed from a disagreement in interpreting the rules which govern when and how Department of Defense employees can take part in activities such as running for a NGAUS leadership position.

Walsh further pointed out that the NGAUS position is an uncompensated one which required him to travel to meetings at his own expense. In Walsh's defense, former Governor Brian Schweitzer said that when he received the report in 2010, he considered it "much ado about nothing."

In January 2014, Walsh confirmed that the 2010 Army Inspector General's report on his National Guard Association of the United States activities prevented him from receiving federal recognition as a general officer during his tenure as Adjutant General. (Adjutants General are normally federally recognized as Major Generals in the Reserve Component of the U.S. Army for Army National Guard officers, or the Air Reserve Component of the U.S. Air Force for Air National Guard officers, provided they meet all the eligibility criteria.) News accounts on the IG report also indicated that Walsh received a formal letter from General Peter W. Chiarelli, then the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, in which Chiarelli reminded Walsh of his obligation to remain impartial in his dealings with non-federal entities, such as NGAUS. Contemporary news accounts also indicated that then-Governor Schweitzer wrote to Chiarelli to state his confidence in Walsh's integrity and abilities, and to urge his promotion to the federally recognized general officer ranks.

Lieutenant Governor of Montana
In March 2012, Attorney General and presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee Steve Bullock selected Walsh to be his running mate. The pair won the Democratic primary with 87% of the vote. In the general election, Bullock and Walsh defeated their Republican opponents, former Congressman Rick Hill and his running mate, State Senator Jon Sonju, by 49% to 47%. They assumed office in January 2013 upon the expiration of the term of Governor Brian Schweitzer and Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger.

Appointment
In December 2013, President Barack Obama nominated retiring United States Senator Max Baucus to be the next United States Ambassador to China. On February 6, 2014, Baucus was confirmed and resigned his Senate seat. On February 9, Governor Steve Bullock then appointed Walsh to serve the remainder of Baucus's Senate term, and Walsh resigned as Lieutenant Governor. He was sworn in on February 11, taking the oath from Vice President Joe Biden.

2014 election
On October 3, 2013, Walsh announced his intention to run for the seat of retiring Senator Max Baucus. On February 9, 2014, Walsh was appointed to replace Baucus in the Senate after Baucus stepped down early, making Walsh the incumbent in the race. Rancher Dirk Adams and former Montana Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger are also running for the Democratic nomination, although they may drop out of the race following Walsh's appointment. Walsh has been endorsed by Governor Bullock, Senator Jon Tester, and former Senator Max Baucus. Republican Congressman Steve Daines is considered Walsh's likely opponent in the general election.

Committee assignments

 * Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
 * Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing and Agriculture Security
 * Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
 * Committee on Rules and Administration
 * Special Committee on Aging

Personal
Walsh met his wife of over 28 years, Janet, in college. The couple has two grown sons. Michael is a member of the National Guard and Taylor is pursuing an acting career.