On the steps of the Montana State Capitol, Governor Greg Gianforte was officially sworn in Monday for his second term as the 25th Governor of Montana. Accompanied by his wife, First Lady Susan Gianforte, the ceremony marked a historic milestone, as Gianforte became the first Republican governor to secure a second term since 1996.
Chief Justice Cory Swanson administered the oath of office to Gianforte, as well as to other key state officials, including Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras, State Auditor James Brown, Superintendent Susie Hedalen, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen.
The inaugural event began with a presentation of the colors by the Montana Air National Guard. Monsignor Kevin O’Neill, Rector and Pastor Emeritus at the Cathedral of St. Helena, delivered the invocation, followed by a rendition of the national anthem performed by Lieutenant Governor Juras’ sons, Luke and Mark, alongside her brother, Wylie Gustafson. The ceremony also featured a dramatic flyover by the Montana Air National Guard and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter.
In his inaugural address, Gianforte reflected on Montana’s enduring spirit and the progress made during his first term. “Today, as I look across this crowd, I am reminded of something profound about Montana: America lives here,” he said. “But Montana is more than just a place: it’s a promise and a way of life. It’s where freedom roams as wide as our skies, where opportunity is as vast as our plains, where resilience runs as deep as our rivers.”
Gianforte recounted the challenges faced when he first took office in January 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He described the uncertainty that gripped the state and nation at the time, with businesses shuttered, classrooms empty, and lives disrupted. However, he praised Montanans for their resilience, saying, “Together, we unleashed freedom, we reopened our economy, and we proved that with determination, we could weather any storm. We have emerged from the storm stronger than ever.”
The governor also highlighted the headwinds faced by the state, including rising inflation and challenges linked to immigration policies from Washington, D.C. He emphasized his administration’s efforts to address affordability, pointing to the largest income tax cut and property tax rebates in Montana’s history, as well as housing reforms and workforce initiatives.
“Montana can and should be a model for our sometimes fractured nation,” Gianforte said. “We are more than just a place on a map: we are the beating heart of America’s promise.”
He concluded his speech with a call to action, pledging to continue advancing Montana’s prosperity: “Together, we will continue to nurture the American dream that flourishes in our people, ensuring that Montana remains not just the Last Best Place, but a shining example of what our nation can and should be. By the grace of God, we will deliver for our families, our communities, and our way of life – because when Montana thrives, America thrives.”
The ceremony, attended by state officials, dignitaries, and citizens, was a celebration of Montana’s resilience and optimism for the future. Montana Chamber of Commerce President Todd O’Hair served as master of ceremonies, underscoring the importance of the event as a unifying moment for the state.