Ted Schwinden

Theodore Schwinden (August 31, 1925 – October 7, 2023) was an American politician from Montana. He was the 19th governor of Montana from 1981 to 1989. He had previously served as the 26th lieutenant governor of Montana and as a member of the Montana House of Representatives.

Biography Theodore Schwinden was born in Roosevelt County, Montana, on his family's farm on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation between Wolf Point and Poplar. Schwinden was a valedictorian at his high school. He was studying toward a PhD in economics at the University of Minnesota before he had to return to his family farm due to his father's ill health.

Career A member of the Democratic Party, Schwinden was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1958, defeating Republican incumbent Chris S. Tange to represent Roosevelt County. Schwinden completed two terms in the House but was unsuccessful in his campaign for a third term. He served as lieutenant governor from 1977 to 1981.

Schwinden defeated Judge in the Democratic primary in 1980. He then beat Republican Jack Ramirez in that year's gubernatorial election to become the 19th governor of Montana. He was re-elected governor in 1984, getting the victory over State Senator Pat M. Goodover.

In his later years, Schwinden lived with his daughter in Phoenix, Arizona. He died in Phoenix on October 7, 2023, at the age of 98.