Senator Jon Tester is a third-generation Montana farmer, a proud grandfather, and a former school teacher who has deep roots in hard work, responsibility and accountability.
Jon and his wife Sharla still farm the same land near the town of Big Sandy, Montana that was homesteaded by Jon’s grandparents in 1912. Jon’s parents believed public education and family agriculture are the cornerstones of democracy—and those values had a tremendous role in shaping Jon’s leadership.
Jon believes in holding himself accountable to the highest standards possible, and he has improved transparency at all levels of government. In fact, Jon was the first senator to post his daily public schedule online.
After earning a degree in music from the College of Great Falls, Jon took over the Tester farm in 1978. He also taught music at F.E. Miley Elementary and eventually was elected to the Big Sandy School Board. Fired up by the Montana Legislature’s decision to deregulate Montana’s power industry (resulting in higher power costs), Jon ran for and was elected to the Montana Senate in 1998.
In 2005, Jon’s colleagues chose him to serve as Montana Senate President. The people of Montana then elected Jon to the United States Senate in 2006. They voted to send him back in 2012 and again in 2018.
Jon believes in holding himself accountable to the highest standards possible, and he has improved transparency at all levels of government. In fact, Jon was the first senator to post his daily public schedule online.
In the Senate, Jon is a tireless defender of rural America and the Montana way of life. He is the Treasure State’s strongest advocate for our family farmers and ranchers, veterans, small business owners, sportsmen and women, and Tribal Nations. Whether it’s creating jobs, combating agriculture consolidation, championing responsible energy development, improving schools, or expanding high-quality health care, Jon is always fighting to bring down costs, grow our economy, and improve the lives of all Montanans.
Jon serves as Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Commerce, Indian Affairs, Banking, and Appropriations Committees.
