Jon Tester

Jonathan "Jon" Tester (born August 21, 1956) served as the senior United States Senator from Montana from 2007 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Jon Tester
United States Senator from Montana
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Conrad Burns
Succeeded by	Tim Sheehy
Chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Jerry Moran
Succeeded by	Jerry Moran
Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
In office January 3, 2017 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by	Richard Blumenthal
Succeeded by	Jerry Moran
Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Michael Bennet
Succeeded by	Chris Van Hollen
Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee
In office February 12, 2014 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Maria Cantwell
Succeeded by	John Barrasso
President of the Montana Senate
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Deputy	Dan Harrington
Preceded by	Bob Keenan
Succeeded by	Mike Cooney
Member of the Montana Senate
In office January 4, 1999 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Loren Jenkins
Succeeded by	Jim Peterson
Constituency	45th (1999–2005) 15th (2005–2007)
Personal details
Born	Raymond Jon Tester (1956-08-21) August 21, 1956 (age 69) Big Sandy, Montana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sharla Bitz ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	3
Education	College of Great Falls (BA)
Signature
Website	Senate website Campaign website

Tester was first elected to the Senate in 2006, beating Republican incumbent Conrad Burns in one of the closest Senate races of that year. He won re-election in 2012 against Rep. Denny Rehberg in another close race.

Tester previously served as the president of the Montana Senate and worked as a music teacher and farmer. He became the senior Senator in 2014 when Max Baucus resigned to become U.S. ambassador to China.

Tester lost his re-election campaign to Republican businessman Tim Sheehy in November 2024.

At the age of nine, he lost the middle three fingers of his left hand in a meat-grinder accident.^[1]