John Bohlinger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John Bohlinger | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2005 |
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| Governor(s) | Brian Schweitzer |
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| Preceded by | Karl Ohs |
| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | April 21 1936 (age 70) Bozeman, Montana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Bette Cobetto (deceased) |
| Profession | Businessman |
John Bohlinger, Jr. (Born April 21, 1936 in Bozeman, Montana) is the current Lieutenant Governor of Montana. Bohlinger ran as a Republican, on a ticket headed by Democrat Brian Schweitzer and was elected on November 2, 2004. He was born in Bozeman, Montana on April 21, 1936, to parents John and Aileen Bohlinger. In 1941, Bohlinger, his sister Tina, and their parents moved from Bozeman to Billings, Montana. His parents opened a women's apparel store called Aileen's, which would become a beloved fixture of downtown Billings.
Bohlinger attended Billings Senior High School, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during his senior year. After graduation, he attended the University of Montana, but was called to active duty in the Marines between his sophomore and junior year. Bohlinger completed his service in the Marines with an honorable discharge, returned to the University of Montana where he became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in business. Bohlinger returned to Billings and went to work in his family business. During his 33-year career as a small businessman, Bohlinger also worked for many community organizations in the Billings area.
He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Billings Chamber of Commerce, First Interstate Bank West, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, and the Billings Studio Theater. Bohlinger served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the local St. Vincent de Paul Society, and as a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church Parish Council. He also has served as president of the Board of Directors of the Yellowstone Art Museum and president of the Billings Symphony.
Bohlinger is also a veteran of the Montana State Legislature. First elected in 1992, Bohlinger served three terms in the Montana House of Representatives and was twice elected to the Montana State Senate.
In the 2004 election, Bohlinger made headlines by declaring that he would cross party lines to run with Brian Schweitzer. Although he maintained throughout the campaign that he was still a Republican (he stayed a member of the Republican caucus in the Senate) he appeared on the ballot tied to Schweitzer, a member of the Democratic Party. He still maintains that he is a member of the GOP.
He is the widower of the late Bette Cobetto, who died of cancer on January 9, 2006. They have six children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandson.