Jon Tester

Tester was born on August 21, 1956,{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2012 |title=Jon Tester |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/postlive/jon-tester/2012/06/01/gJQAnhF9oV_story.html |access-date=September 24, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} in Havre, Montana,[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000464 "Tester, Jon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228085447/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000464 |date=December 28, 2011}}, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 10, 2011. one of three sons of Helen Marie (née Pearson), who was born in North Dakota{{Cite web |title=Helen M Pearson in the 1940 Census {{!}} Ancestry® |url=https://www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/Montana/Helen-M-Pearson_2njl6l |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Ancestry.com |language=en}} and David O. Tester, born in Utah.{{Cite web |title=Obituary information for David O. Tester |url=https://www.yatesfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=2480462 |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.yatesfuneralhomes.com |language=en-US}} He is the descendant of Mormon pioneers on his father's side. His father was of English descent and his mother was of Swedish ancestry.{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/tester.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630211318/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/tester.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |title=1 |publisher=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com |access-date=August 12, 2014}} Tester grew up in Chouteau County, near the town of Big Sandy, Montana, on land that his grandfather homesteaded in 1912.Cohen, Betsy. [http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/article_4d4368a4-1409-593d-902c-d084d8d64945.html "Back on the farm"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117001845/http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/article_4d4368a4-1409-593d-902c-d084d8d64945.html |date=November 17, 2017}}, Helena Independent Record, April 9, 2007. At the age of nine, he lost the middle three fingers of his left hand in a meat-grinder accident.Klein, Joe. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060704210252/http://www.time.com/time/columnist/klein/article/0%2C9565%2C1209919%2C00.html "The Democrats' New Populism"]. Time. July 2, 2006. In 1978, he graduated from the University of Providence (then called the College of Great Falls) with a B.A. in music.{{cite web |url=https://tester.senate.gov/Jon/index.cfm |title=Biography |website=tester.senate.gov |access-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723144430/http://www.tester.senate.gov/Jon/index.cfm |url-status=dead}}

Tester then worked for two years as a music teacher in the Big Sandy School District before returning to his family's farm and custom butcher shop.[http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Jon_Tester "Jon Tester (D-Mont.)"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914122810/http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Jon_Tester |date=September 14, 2009}} WhoRunsGov.com. Retrieved December 26, 2009. He and his wife continue to operate the farm; in the 1980s, they switched from conventional to organic farming.Lowery, Courtney. [http://www.newwest.net/index.php/main/article/the_good_guy_running_for_us_senate/ "The 'Good Guy' Running for U.S. Senate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615122254/http://www.newwest.net/index.php/main/article/the_good_guy_running_for_us_senate/ |date=June 15, 2006}}, NewWest, August 28, 2005. Tester spent five years as chairman of the Big Sandy School Board of Trustees and was also on the Big Sandy Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Committee and the Chouteau County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) Committee.[http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/person/jon-tester-mt/ "Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)"]. The Almanac of American Politics, National Journal. Retrieved December 10, 2011. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825202025/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/person/jon-tester-mt/|date=August 25, 2012}}

Tester was first elected to represent the 45th district in the Montana Senate in 1998. Before running for State Senate, Tester served on the Big Sandy school board for a decade.{{cite news |title=Almanac: Sen. Jon Tester (D) |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/490 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |work=National Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145957/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/member/490 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} He was elected the minority whip for the 2001 session. In 2002, he was reelected with 71% of the vote,{{cite web |url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=141878 |title=Ourcampaigns.com |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170201/http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=141878 |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} and he became minority leader in 2003. In 2004 he moved to the 15th district as a "holdover" because of redistricting. In 2005, Tester was elected president of the Montana Senate, the chief presiding officer of the Montana Legislature's upper chamber.

Tester's election as Senate president marked a transition for Montana Democrats as they moved into the majority leadership of the Senate for the first time in more than a decade. Term limits prohibited Tester from running for State Senate for a third consecutive term.{{cite web |last=McCulloch |first=Linda |title=Term Limits – Elections |url=http://sos.mt.gov/elections/term_limits/index#State |access-date=October 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129230651/http://sos.mt.gov/elections/term_limits/index#State |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} Tester cited a prescription drug benefit program, reinstatement of the "Made in Montana" promotion program, a law to encourage renewable energy development, and his involvement with a bill that led to an historic increase in public school funding as accomplishments while in office.Johnson, Charles S. [http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/tester-begins-demo-race-for-u-s-senate/article_88b77ac1-20fb-5f2c-9b6e-3779f77911dd.html "Tester begins Demo race for U.S. Senate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190202/http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/tester-begins-demo-race-for-u-s-senate/article_88b77ac1-20fb-5f2c-9b6e-3779f77911dd.html |date=February 6, 2018}}, Billings Gazette, May 24, 2005.

• Senate Finance Committee (2001–2004){{cite web |author=Mike Allen |url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/Committees/administration/Finance/2003-4/2005_lfc.asp |title=Legislative Finance Committee |publisher=Montana Legislature |access-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902150154/http://leg.mt.gov/css/Committees/Administration/Finance/2003-4/2005_lfc.asp |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}
• Senate Agriculture Committee (2000–2005){{cite web |url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/Special%20Session/may_2000/committees/sas.asp |title=Montana Legislature: Sessions |publisher=Montana Legislature |date=July 16, 2008 |access-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902170247/http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/Special%20Session/may_2000/committees/sas.asp |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/57th/senate_committees.asp#ag |title=Montana Legislature: Sessions |publisher=Montana Legislature |access-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902150132/http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/57th/senate_committees.asp#ag |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}{{Cite web | url=http://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Session/2005_senate_committees.pdf | title=Senate committees - 59th legislative session - 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926085909/http://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Session/2005_senate_committees.pdf | archive-date=2020-09-26 }}
• Senate Rules Committee (2003–2005){{Cite web |url=http://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Session/2003_senate_committees.pdf |title=Senate Committees - 58th Legislative Session - 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624032950/http://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Session/2003_senate_committees.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}
• Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee (2005)
• Panthera Leo City Council of Petroleum County (2012)
• Council Interim Committee (2003–2004){{cite web |url=http://leg.mt.gov/css/Committees/Interim/InterimMembership.asp?CommitteeID=593 |title=Montana Legislature: Interim Committees Membership |publisher=Montana Legislature |date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=August 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902173252/http://leg.mt.gov/css/Committees/Interim/InterimMembership.asp?CommitteeID=593 |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

{{main|2006 United States Senate election in Montana}}

File:Jon Tester, official 110th Congress photo.jpg|upright]]

In May 2005, Tester announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by the Republican incumbent Senator Conrad Burns. Tester was the second Democrat to enter the race, after state auditor John Morrison. Tester had more support from his fellow legislators,Johnson, Charles S. [http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/tester-morrison-list-endorsements/article_556296b3-bfe3-52b8-86be-ace83cea8fc9.html "Tester, Morrison list endorsements"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120709205355/http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/tester-morrison-list-endorsements/article_556296b3-bfe3-52b8-86be-ace83cea8fc9.html |date=July 9, 2012}}, Billings Gazette, May 16, 2006. but Morrison, whose grandfather was governor of Nebraska, raised significantly more money and had greater statewide name recognition.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} Morrison collected $1.05 million by the beginning of 2006, including $409,241 in the last three months of 2005.Johnson, Charles S. [http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/02/01/news/state/75-fundraising.txt "Burns' fundraising nears $5 million; Morrison's hits $1 million"]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}, CQPolitics.com, August 28, 2005. But "Morrison's advantages in fundraising and name identification [did] not translate into a lead in the polls",Horrigan, Marie. [http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/mt_senate_race_to_take_on_emba.html "MT Senate: Race to Take On Embattled Burns Nears Finish"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827025641/http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/05/mt_senate_race_to_take_on_emba.html |date=August 27, 2006}}, CQPolitics.com, May 31, 2006. most of which showed the race as exceedingly tight; by May 2006, some polls called the primary a "deadlock".Johnson, Charles S. [http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/05/28/montana_top/a01052806_01.txt "Tester, Morrison deadlocked"]. Helena Independent Record. May 28, 2006.

In June 2006, Tester won the Democratic nomination by more than 25 percentage points in a six-way primary.Charles S. Johnson, [http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/tester-routs-morrison-will-challenge-burns/article_194f6c71-9964-5b9f-9276-eb284abc6fe0.html Tester routs Morrison, will challenge Burns: Embattled incumbent beats Keenan by 3-to-1 margin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118002125/http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/tester-routs-morrison-will-challenge-burns/article_194f6c71-9964-5b9f-9276-eb284abc6fe0.html |date=November 18, 2017}}, Billings Gazette (June 6, 2006). He was said to have "gained momentum in the closing weeks of the campaign through an extensive grass-roots effort". While Tester's pledge to "end secret meetings with lobbyists" was a central issue in his campaign, CNN reported in 2023 that he had not fully followed through on it.{{Cite web |last1=Kaczynski |first1=Andrew |last2=Turner |first2=Abby |date=2023-09-13 |title=Jon Tester failed to fully follow through on ethics pledge at center of 2006 campaign {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/13/politics/kfile-jon-tester-ethics-pledge-2006/index.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=CNN |language=en}}

In the November general election, Tester defeated Burns with 199,845 votes (49.2%) to Burns's 196,283 (48.3%). Libertarian Stan Jones received 10,377 votes (2.6%). Tester's victory was confirmed the day after the election.{{Cite news |last=Hauser |first=Christine |date=2006-11-08 |title=Democrat Wins Senate Race in Montana |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/us/politics/09senatecnd.html |access-date=2023-11-25 |issn=0362-4331}}

{{main|2012 United States Senate election in Montana}}

File:2012_United_States_Senate_election_in_Montana_results_map_by_county.svg

Tester sought reelection to a second term and was challenged by Republican U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg.{{cite news |url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/results/states/montana |work=The New York Times |title=Montana |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108082307/http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/results/states/montana |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

The race was seen as pivotal for both parties. During his first term, Tester split with Democrats on key issues like the Keystone XL oil pipeline; he also voted with his party on issues such as the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd–Frank financial services overhaul.{{cite news |first=Susan |last=Davis |title=Montana race could tip balance of power in U.S. Senate |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-04-04/montana-senate-race/54013908/1 |newspaper=USA Today |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110090301/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-04-04/montana-senate-race/54013908/1 |url-status=dead }}

When announcing his candidacy, Rehberg called Tester a "yes man" for President Obama, saying that he sided with the administration in 97% of his votes. Rehberg cited Tester's support for the ACA and the 2009 stimulus, both of which Rehberg opposed. Tester said that he stood by his votes on both bills, saying that the ACA contained "a lot of good stuff". The Los Angeles Times noted that Tester diverged from his party on matters such as gun rights and illegal immigration.{{cite news |first=Mark Z. |last=Barabak |title=Winning the West, Montana style |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-feb-27-la-na-campaign-2012-west-20110227-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 27, 2011 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014161446/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/27/nation/la-na-campaign-2012-west-20110227 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

On Election Day, Tester defeated Rehberg, 48.6% to 44.9%. Libertarian Dan Cox received 6.6% of the vote.

{{main|2018 United States Senate election in Montana}}

Tester won a third term, defeating Republican nominee Montana State Auditor Matt Rosendale in a high-turnout election by over 15,000 votes and crossing the 50% vote threshold for the first time in his three Senate elections.{{cite news |title=Democrat Jon Tester wins re-election in Montana Senate race |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/politics/jon-tester-montana/index.html |author=Merica, Dan |publisher=CNN |date=November 7, 2018 |access-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108214213/https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/politics/jon-tester-montana/index.html |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} He received 253,876 votes (50.3%) to Rosendale's 235,963 (46.8%). Libertarian Rick Breckenridge received 14,545 votes (2.9%). President Donald Trump made a particular effort to unseat Tester, traveling to Montana four times over the preceding months. Despite increased Republican turnout in the state, Tester secured victory due to increased turnout in Democratic-leaning areas, strong support from Native Americans and women, increased support among independent voters, and 67% of the youth vote.{{cite news |title=Jon Tester Wins in Montana, Despite Trump's Best Efforts |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/11/jon-testers-victory-montana-rejoinder-trump/575299/ |author=Yager, Sarah |website=The Atlantic |date=November 8, 2018 |access-date=November 8, 2018}}

{{main|2024 United States Senate election in Montana}}

File:Jon Tester Richard Star Act.jpg about the Major Richard Star Act that provides disabled veteran's retirement benefits, 2024]]

Despite reports that Tester was considering retirement,{{cite news |last=Perano |first=Ursula |title=The 'Only Democrat Who Can Win' in Montana Might Not Run |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/jon-tester-the-only-democrat-who-can-win-in-montana-might-not-run |website=The Daily Beast |date=February 15, 2023 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} he announced in February 2023 that he would seek a fourth Senate term. His reelection was considered pivotal for Democrats to maintain their Senate majority in the 119th United States Congress.{{cite web |last1=Levine |first1=Marianne |last2=Everett |first2=Burgess |title=Tester will seek reelection, bolstering Dems in 2024 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/22/tester-will-seek-reelection-bolstering-dems-in-2024-00083931 |website=Politico |date=February 22, 2023 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

Tester was one of the Democratic Party's last remaining red-state U.S. senators, and Montana was one of five states with Senate delegations split between the Republican and Democratic Parties.{{cite news |last1=Everett |first1=Burgess |date=April 7, 2023 |title=Montana beef: Bad blood intensifies between Tester and Daines |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/07/montana-senate-gop-democrat-tester-daines-00090833 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |work=Politico |language=en}} According to The Washington Post, Republican and Democratic strategists agreed that the race would "be a test of whether [Tester's] authenticity and connection with his home state's voters can override most Montanans' inclination to vote Republican." Trump carried Montana by 16 percentage points in 2020; his margin of victory was larger in 2016. Tester made some moves to distance himself from the Joe Biden administration, but his voting record remained in line with the Democratic Party.{{cite news |last1=Goodwin |first1=Liz |title=The battle to defeat Jon Tester in Montana is personal for Republicans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/22/jon-tester-montana-senate-race/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 23, 2023}} In July 2024, Tester called for Biden to withdraw from the 2024 United States presidential election.{{cite web |title=Sen. Tester calls on Biden not to seek another term |url=https://dailymontanan.com/2024/07/18/sen-tester-calls-on-biden-not-to-seek-another-term/ |website=Daily Montanan) |access-date=19 July 2024}} In August, Tester announced that he would not endorse Kamala Harris for president.{{cite web |last1= Taheri |first1=Mandy |title=Democratic Senator Refuses to Endorse Kamala Harris: 'Two Reasons' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/jon-tester-montana-kamala-harris-endorsement-election-2024-1943312 |publisher=Newsweek |access-date=12 January 2025 |date=22 August 2024}} In the 2024 United States Senate elections, Tester lost to Republican nominee Tim Sheehy, receiving 46% of the vote to Sheehy's 53%.{{#invoke:cite web|| title=2024 Statewide General Election Canvass | website=Secretary of State of Montana | date=2024-12-11 | url=https://sosmt.gov/docs/31/post-election/66775/2024-general-election-report-state-canvass | access-date=2024-12-11}}

File:AFGE Activist Joins Senate Presser on Shutdown's Impact on Veterans' Services (10175353063).jpg that year]]

During a 2006 Billings press conference, the Tester campaign released a statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, pledging to give Tester a coveted seat on the Appropriations Committee "as soon as possible", regardless of whether Democrats won control of the Senate.Johnson, Charles S. [http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/10/20/national/a01102006_03.txt "Dems vow to get Tester on Senate appropriations"]. Helena Independent Record. October 19, 2006. During Tester's second session of Congress in 2009, he was given a seat on the Appropriations Committee.{{cite web |url=https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2352 |title=Tester earns seat on Senate Appropriations Committee |website=tester.senate.gov |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=April 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514185728/http://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=2352 |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Tester became chairman of the Banking Committee's Securities, Insurance, and Investment Subcommittee in 2013.Barone, The Almanac of American Politics 2014 (Kindle Locations 48474-48476)

Tester opposed the 2013 appointment of Larry Summers as chairman of the Federal Reserve; lacking a committee majority, Summers then withdrew his name from consideration.{{cite news |author=White, Ben |title=Dem opposition dooms Summers |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/larry-summers-withdraws-name-federal-reserve-chairman-96824.html |work=Politico |date=September 15, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919045227/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/larry-summers-withdraws-name-federal-reserve-chairman-96824.html |url-status=dead}}

Tester received more money in campaign contributions from lobbyists than any other member of Congress in 2018. When asked about this, he said it was "bull".{{Cite web |date=2018-09-10 |title=AP FACT CHECK: Tester did rank No. 1 in cash from lobbyists |url=https://apnews.com/article/7b34826f284f4465a7678178e22eb1d1 |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=AP News |language=en}}

Tester was on Capitol Hill for the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count on January 6, when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. He was in his office in the Hart Senate Office Building when the Capitol was breached. Along with his staff, Tester was evacuated to an undisclosed location for safety.{{cite news |last1=Dennison |first1=Mike |title=Sen. Tester rips Rs for enabling Capitol violence; MT officials condemn it |url=https://www.ktvh.com/news/montana-politics/mt-officials-condemn-violence-in-nations-capitol |access-date=13 January 2021 |publisher=KTVH |date=6 January 2021 |language=en}} He called the storming a "despicable and dangerous attack on our democracy" and "a coup by domestic terrorists",{{cite news |last1=Depping |first1=Meridith |title=Sen. Daines, Sen. Tester and Rep. Rosendale and their staff reported to be safe |url=https://www.kulr8.com/top_story/sen-daines-sen-tester-and-rep-rosendale-and-their-staff-reported-to-be-safe/article_fd9c39dd-e0c6-5506-9aa5-cea4a8daa200.html |access-date=13 January 2021 |publisher=KULR-8 Local News |date=6 January 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Bolton |first1=Aaron |title=Tester: D.C. Insurrection Was 'A Terrorist Act' |url=https://www.mtpr.org/post/tester-dc-insurrection-was-terrorist-act |access-date=13 January 2021 |publisher=Montana Public Radio |date=7 January 2021 |language=en}} and blamed Trump for instigating it. He also said that impeachment of Trump was unlikely in the short period of time before Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20. He called fellow Montana senator Steve Daines an "enabler" of the attack, as Daines supported Trump's unproven voter fraud claims.{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=John S. |title=Siege response |url=https://montanafreepress.org/2021/01/11/siege-response/ |access-date=13 January 2021 |work=Montana Free Press |date=11 January 2021}}

File:Senator Tester.jpg the Committee on Veterans' Affairs ]]

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on Defense (chair)
• Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
• Subcommittee on Homeland Security
• Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
• Committee on Indian Affairs
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs (chair)

• Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (co-chair)
• International Conservation Caucus
• Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=21 March 2025}}
• Senate Taiwan Caucus{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|author=|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|format=|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=|accessdate=25 March 2025}}

File:John Tester Lewistown.jpg in 2024]]

Tester is considered a moderate Democrat.{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/trump-democrats-senate-meeting-234781 |title=Moderate Democratic senators to visit White House |author=Everett, Burgess |work=Politico |date=February 7, 2017 |access-date=2018-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318182735/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/trump-democrats-senate-meeting-234781 |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{indent}}{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/349493-centrist-dem-maybe-we-should-look-at-single-payer-healthcare/ |title=Centrist Dem: Maybe we should look at single-payer health care |last=Roubein |first=Rachel |date=2017-09-06 |work=The Hill |access-date=2018-03-18 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208003238/http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/349493-centrist-dem-maybe-we-should-look-at-single-payer-healthcare |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{indent}}{{Cite news |author=Robillard, Kevin |date=April 18, 2018 |title='I don't think they can beat who I am' |language=en |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/18/jon-tester-montana-democrat-senate-531524 |url-status=live |access-date=2018-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716111902/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/18/jon-tester-montana-democrat-senate-531524 |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |df=mdy-all}}{{indent}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Jon Tester faces another tough Senate campaign in Montana as the GOP braces for a possible primary |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/jon-tester-faces-another-tough-senate-campaign-montana-gop-braces-poss-rcna100083 |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{indent}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-27 |title=Former Navy SEAL seeks GOP nod to challenge Montana Democratic US Sen. Tester in 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/montana-senate-2024-sheehy-tester-ae28996737757bc1457d09255398ed4a |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=AP News |language=en}} A New York Times profile of Tester after his 2006 election described him as "truly your grandfather's Democrat—a pro-gun, anti-big-business prairie pragmatist whose life is defined by the treeless patch of hard Montana dirt that has been in the family since 1916".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/13/us/politics/13tester.html|title=Fresh Off the Farm in Montana, a Senator-to-Be |last=Egan |first=Timothy |date=November 13, 2006 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=October 6, 2012}} In 2012, USA Today noted that Tester had sometimes "split with Democrats—most recently in his support of construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast—but he has voted with Obama on the most critical issues of his presidency: the stimulus, the health care legislation and the Dodd-Frank financial services overhaul".{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Susan |title=Montana race could tip balance of power in U.S. Senate |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-04-04/montana-senate-race/54013908/1 |website=USA Today |access-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627035340/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-04-04/montana-senate-race/54013908/1 |archive-date=June 27, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} FiveThirtyEight, which tracks votes in Congress, found that Tester had voted with Trump's position 30% of the time during Trump's presidency.{{Cite news |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/jon-tester/ |title=Tracking Jon Tester In The Age Of Trump |last=Bycoffe |first=Aaron |date=2017-01-30 |work=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=2018-03-18 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120555/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/jon-tester/ |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} Through January 2023, Tester had voted in line with Joe Biden's position 91% of the time.{{cite news |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/jon-tester/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506170153/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/jon-tester/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |work=FiveThirtyEight |date=April 22, 2021 |language=en}} In 2023, the Lugar Center ranked Tester tenth among senators for bipartisanship.{{Cite web |title=Our Work |url=https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-85.html |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=www.thelugarcenter.org}}

Tester supports abortion rights. The New York Times wrote that his "electoral successes trace back to carefully tailored campaigns that catered to local issues over dominant national ones like abortion", and that for red state Democrats like Tester and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, it was an open question whether they could "maintain their invaluable political personas while—for the first time in their lengthy careers in public office—persuading their constituents to keep abortion rights front and center when voting next year [in 2024]."{{cite news |last1=Bender |first1=Michael C. |last2=Huynh |first2=Anjali |title=Could Abortion Rights Rescue Red-State Democrats in the Senate? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/us/politics/abortion-rights-democrats-senate-election.html |work=The New York Times |date=29 November 2023}}

File:Jon Tester West Paws.jpg]]

Tester was one of two Democratic senators to filibuster the American Jobs Act in 2011. It was reported that he was not concerned about the surtax on some families to pay for the plan, but was unsure that the new spending would actually create jobs. "I've got more of a concern about a state aid package ... and how the money is going to be spent and whether it's really going to create jobs," he explained.{{cite news |first1=Manu |last1=Raju |first2=Scott |last2=Wong |title=Jon Tester, Ben Nelson unsure on teachers bill |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/66203.html |newspaper=Politico |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210191158/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/66203.html |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Tester was the only Democratic senator from a Republican-leaning state to oppose a stopgap funding measure to end a three-day government shutdown in 2018 and reopen the federal government.{{cite news |last1=Everett |first1=Burgess |last2=Robillard |first2=Kevin |title=Tester puts reelection on the line with risky shutdown vote |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/25/senate-2018-tester-puts-reelection-on-line-government-shutdown-366941 |access-date=February 5, 2018 |work=Politico |date=January 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131436/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/25/senate-2018-tester-puts-reelection-on-line-government-shutdown-366941 |archive-date=February 6, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Tester became one of the Democrats in the Senate to support the 2018 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, a bill that partially repealed Dodd-Frank and relaxed key banking regulations. As one of at least 11 other Democrats, he argued that the bill would "right-size post-crisis rules imposed on small and regional lenders and help make it easier for them to provide credit". Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren vehemently opposed the legislation.{{cite news |last1=Warmbrodt |first1=Zachary |title=Victory in sight for Democrats defying Warren on bank bill |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/05/democrats-warren-bank-regulations-383779?lo=ap_d1 |website=Politico |date=March 5, 2018 |access-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010720/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/05/democrats-warren-bank-regulations-383779?lo=ap_d1 |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Tester became the first Democrat endorsed by Friends of Traditional Banking, a political action committee that had previously endorsed Republicans.{{Cite news |url=https://www.americanbanker.com/news/jon-tester-is-first-democrat-endorsed-by-banking-super-pac |title=Tester is first Dem endorsed by banking super PAC |work=American Banker |author=Haggerty, Neil |date=July 11, 2018 |access-date=2018-08-07 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185942/https://www.americanbanker.com/news/jon-tester-is-first-democrat-endorsed-by-banking-super-pac |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

File:Jon Tester Public Lands Award.jpg's Trailblazer Award|upright]]

A Newsweek reporter who traveled with Tester in Montana in 2011 said that the "desire to wrest control of wolves from D.C. ... was the only topic that came up everywhere he went: hotels, coffee shops, art auctions. 'What do you think about wolves?' a sixth grader asked during an assembly in Miles City. 'I think we should start hunting them again!' Tester said. The kids let out their loudest cheer of the afternoon." Tester tried to revive a bill that was meant to be a compromise between the conservationists and the timber industry. The bill would put 700,000 acres of wilderness aside for "light-on-the-land logging projects" with the intention of creating jobs in the flagging industry. It was noted that Tester was not "winning admirers on his side", with some liberal environmentalists saying that would give lumber mills control of the national forests.{{cite news |last=Romano |first=Andrew |title=The Democrats' Last, Best Hope |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/05/01/the-democrats-last-best-hope.html |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=May 1, 2011 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002161805/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/05/01/the-democrats-last-best-hope.html |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Chaney |title=Tester's Forest Jobs and Recreation Act draws mixed reviews |url=http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_5960ac0c-874c-11e0-a444-001cc4c002e0.html |newspaper=The Missoulian |date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528040028/http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_5960ac0c-874c-11e0-a444-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-date=May 28, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Tester is a gun owner.{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=David |title=The View From Montana, Where Guns Are An Important Election Issue |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/05/06/476994024/the-view-from-montana-where-guns-are-an-important-election-issue |publisher=NPR |access-date=October 5, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005101214/http://www.npr.org/2016/05/06/476994024/the-view-from-montana-where-guns-are-an-important-election-issue |archive-date=October 5, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} On gun rights, the NRA Political Victory Fund gave him an A- rating in 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/19/us/politics/nra.html |work=The New York Times |first1=Matthew |last1=Bloch |first2=Hannah |last2=Fairfield |first3=Jacob |last3=Harris |first4=Josh |last4=Keller |title=How the N.R.A. Rates Lawmakers |date=December 19, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228083552/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/19/us/politics/nra.html |archive-date=February 28, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} This was downgraded to a D in 2018 after he voted against confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.{{cite web |title=NRA Downgrades Sen. Tester's Rating to a D |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20181009/nra-downgrades-sen-testers-rating-to-a-d |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |access-date=9 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809081129/https://agegateway.nrahq.org/?s=CA&r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrapvf.org%2Farticles%2F20181009%2Fnra-downgrades-sen-testers-rating-to-a-d |archive-date=9 August 2023 |language=en-US |date=October 9, 2018 |url-status=live}} Tester supports efforts to loosen restrictions on gun exports, saying it would help U.S. gun manufacturers expand their business and create more jobs.{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Nicole |title=Sen. Tester pushing for help for Montana's gun manufacturers |url=http://www.kpax.com/story/35567192/sen-tester-pushing-for-help-for-montanas-gun-manufacturers |publisher=KPAX |access-date=October 5, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005100714/http://www.kpax.com/story/35567192/sen-tester-pushing-for-help-for-montanas-gun-manufacturers |archive-date=October 5, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

Tester voted against a Democrat-sponsored proposal in 2016 that would have required background checks for purchases at gun shows and for purchases of guns online nationwide. He argued that the bill would "have blocked family members and neighbors from buying and selling guns to one another without a background check". Tester voted for a second Democrat-sponsored proposal to ban gun sales to people on the terrorist watch list. Both proposals failed.{{cite news |last1=Lutey |first1=Tom |title=Tester splits with Democrats on gun show background checks |url=http://missoulian.com/news/local/tester-splits-with-democrats-on-gun-show-background-checks/article_4ff25dd7-5386-55d2-ae4f-f704919c3801.html |work=The Missoulian |date=June 21, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005151452/http://missoulian.com/news/local/tester-splits-with-democrats-on-gun-show-background-checks/article_4ff25dd7-5386-55d2-ae4f-f704919c3801.html |archive-date=October 5, 2017 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Tester supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, voting for it in December 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home – Votes – Roll Call Vote |publisher=U.S. Senate |date=December 24, 2009 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718202033/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} He voted for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home – Votes – Roll Call Vote |publisher=U.S. Senate |date=March 25, 2010 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804082122/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |archive-date=August 4, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Tester said in 2017 that Democrats should consider a single-payer health care system.{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/349493-centrist-dem-maybe-we-should-look-at-single-payer-healthcare/ |title=Centrist Dem: Maybe we should look at single-payer health care |last=Roubein |first=Rachel |date=2017-09-06 |work=The Hill |access-date=2018-03-18 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208003238/http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/349493-centrist-dem-maybe-we-should-look-at-single-payer-healthcare |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} In the summer of that year, he said that health care needed reform but that the latest GOP attempt at reform was a "train wreck" that would "strip health care away from millions of Americans". He said that Democrats should "work to fix what's wrong with the current healthcare system in a bipartisan way. And that means going through committee process, not doing it in a dark room with a select few, but going through the committee process and getting good ideas from everybody". Reminded that some Democrats "believe that compromise on this issue is not only unprincipled but unnecessary", Tester said the issue was "too important... not to try to help remedy the problems".{{cite news |last1=Simon |first1=Scott |title=Democratic Sen. Jon Tester On Health Care |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/07/15/537381196/democratic-sen-jon-tester-on-health-care |publisher=NPR |date=July 15, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084423/https://www.npr.org/2017/07/15/537381196/democratic-sen-jon-tester-on-health-care |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

File:Jon Tester Drone Manufacturer.jpg's Skyfish a producer of drones used for border patrol activity]]

In 2010, Tester voted against the DREAM Act, which would have created a pathway to citizenship for the foreign-born children of illegal immigrants. He has said, "Illegal immigration is a critical problem facing our country, but amnesty is not the solution. I do not support legislation that provides a path for citizenship for anyone in this country illegally."{{cite news |last1=Good |first1=Chris |title=After DREAM Vote, Immigration Reform Unlikely This Year |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/12/after-dream-vote-immigration-reform-unlikely-this-year/68245/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327023719/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/12/after-dream-vote-immigration-reform-unlikely-this-year/68245/ |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |date=December 18, 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Hohmann |first1=James |title=The Daily 202: DACA reaction shows how immigration has become a litmus test for Democrats |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/09/06/daily-202-daca-reaction-shows-how-immigration-has-become-a-litmus-test-for-democrats/59af142730fb04264c2a1ced/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 6, 2017 |access-date=March 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215042950/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/09/06/daily-202-daca-reaction-shows-how-immigration-has-become-a-litmus-test-for-democrats/59af142730fb04264c2a1ced/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

In 2017, Tester criticized Trump for saying that he would cancel DACA in six months. "I don't support what the president did", Tester said. "I think it's ill-informed, I think it rips families apart, and it's not what this country stands for." Asked if he would now commit to voting for the DREAM Act, he said, "I support comprehensive immigration reform."{{cite web |last1=Dayen |first1=David |authorlink=David Dayen|title=The politics of the DREAM Act seem pretty easy, but some Democrats are still screwing it up |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/09/06/jon-tester-and-joe-manchin-key-democratic-senators-wobbly-on-dream-act/ |website=The Intercept |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084134/https://theintercept.com/2017/09/06/jon-tester-and-joe-manchin-key-democratic-senators-wobbly-on-dream-act/ |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |date=September 6, 2017}}

In 2018, Tester and Senators Heidi Heitkamp, Kamala Harris, and Claire McCaskill co-sponsored the Border and Port Security Act,[https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-115s2314is S. 2314 (IS) - Border and Port Security Act] govInfo legislation to mandate that U.S. Customs and Border Protection "hire, train and assign at least 500 officers per year until the number of needed positions the model identifies is filled" and require the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to determine potential equipment and infrastructure improvements for ports of entry.{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyinterlake.com/local_news/20180119/tester_wants_more_border_personnel |title=Tester wants more border personnel |date=January 19, 2018 |first=Patrick |last=Reilly |work=Daily Inter Lake |access-date=September 27, 2019 |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222105856/https://www.dailyinterlake.com/local_news/20180119/tester_wants_more_border_personnel |url-status=dead}}

Tester voted to convict Trump during both of his impeachment trials.{{cite news |last1=Cates-Carney |first1=Corin |title=Tester Votes For, Daines Votes Against Second Trump Impeachment Trial |url=https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2021-02-09/tester-votes-for-daines-votes-against-second-trump-impeachment-trial |publisher=Montana Public Radio |access-date=January 14, 2022 |language=en |date=February 9, 2021}}

Tester voted for the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00281 |title=Legislation & Records Home – Votes – Roll Call Vote |publisher=U.S. Senate |date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804041751/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00281 |archive-date=August 4, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}
{{cite news |url=http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/senate/2/281 |work=The New York Times |title=Senate Vote 281 – Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' |access-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128031443/http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/senate/2/281 |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |df=mdy-all}} While he opposed same-sex marriage during both his 2006 and 2012 campaigns, Tester announced his support for it in 2013, citing concerns about federal government overreach.{{cite news |last=Stein |first=Sam |title=Jon Tester Explains Gay Marriage Evolution |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/jon-tester-gay-marriage_n_2971715.html |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=March 30, 2013 |date=March 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331013127/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/28/jon-tester-gay-marriage_n_2971715.html |archive-date=March 31, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that all U.S. states must recognize same-sex marriages, Tester praised the ruling as protecting "the rights and freedoms of every married couple".{{cite news |url=http://www.kpax.com/story/29417684/montana-leaders-react-to-same-sex-ruling |publisher=KPAX/MTN news |date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 21, 2018 |title=Montana leaders react to same-sex marriage ruling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622083853/http://www.kpax.com/story/29417684/montana-leaders-react-to-same-sex-ruling |archive-date=June 22, 2018 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} He voted for the Respect for Marriage Act of 2022.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 117th Congress - 2nd Session |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00362.htm |access-date=2022-11-30 |publisher=U.S. Senate}}

During Tester's 2006 Senate campaign, his opponent, Senator Conrad Burns, criticized him for wanting to weaken the PATRIOT Act. Tester replied: "I don't want to weaken the PATRIOT Act, I want to repeal it!"{{cite web |url=https://www.ontheissues.org/International/Jon_Tester_Homeland_Security.htm |title=Jon Tester on Homeland Security |work=On the Issues |access-date=September 19, 2020}} He opposed the confirmations of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General,{{cite web |url=https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4996 |title=Tester Stands with Montanans in Opposing Attorney General Nominee Jeff Sessions |work=tester.senate.gov |date=February 8, 2017 |access-date=September 19, 2020}} Mike Pompeo as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency,{{cite web |url=https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4961 |title=Tester Champions Civil Liberties, Opposes Pompeo for CIA Chief |website=tester.senate.gov |date=January 23, 2017 |access-date=September 19, 2020}} and Neil Gorsuch as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States for supporting the PATRIOT Act's bulk data collection provisions.{{cite web |last1=Tester |first1=Jon |title=Why I Cannot Support Judge Gorsuch |url=https://medium.com/@sen_jon_tester/why-i-cannot-support-judge-gorsuch-70c7b460cd7e |website=Medium |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084500/https://medium.com/@sen_jon_tester/why-i-cannot-support-judge-gorsuch-70c7b460cd7e |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |date=April 3, 2017}} Tester voted in 2018 against confirming Brett Kavanaugh as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. Among other reasons, he cited "concerns that Judge Kavanaugh defended the PATRIOT Act instead of Montanans' privacy", as Kavanaugh had helped the Bush administration craft a program of mass domestic surveillance and had ruled in favor of increased government surveillance under the PATRIOT Act in Klayman v. Obama.{{cite web |url=https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=6466 |title=Tester: 'I have concerns about Kavanaugh's record' |website=tester.senate.gov |date=September 28, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2020}} Tester was one of seven Senate Democrats to join Republican Senator Rand Paul in his 10-hour filibuster against reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act in 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/05/after-over-10-hours-rand-paul-ends-his-nsa-filibuster/458031/ |title=After Over 10 Hours, Rand Paul Ends His NSA 'Filibuster' |first1=Dustin |last1=Volz |first2=Kaveh |last2=Waddell |work=The Atlantic |date=May 20, 2015 |access-date=September 19, 2020}}

Tester opposed the Supreme Court decision Citizens United, which allows corporations and unions to donate unlimited amounts of money to third-party political groups. He proposed a constitutional amendment to reverse the decision, arguing that it had a bad impact on American democracy.{{cite news |first=Frank |last=James |title=Sen. Jon Tester Decries Citizens United's Impact In Montana, Nationally |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/01/31/146096873/sen-jon-tester-decries-citizens-uniteds-impact-in-montana-nationally |date=January 30, 2012 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009075949/http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/01/31/146096873/sen-jon-tester-decries-citizens-uniteds-impact-in-montana-nationally |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

Tester voted to confirm Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.{{cite web |title=Roll Call Vote 111th Congress - 2nd Session |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1112/vote_111_2_00229.htm |access-date=20 April 2024 |website=United States Senate}}{{cite web |title=Roll Call Vote 111th Congress - 1st Session |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1111/vote_111_1_00262.htm |access-date=12 April 2024 |website=United States Senate}} He opposed Trump's nomination of Neil Gorsuch.{{cite news |last1=Lutey |first1=Tom |title=Tester will oppose Neil Gorsuch |url=http://missoulian.com/news/government-and-politics/tester-will-oppose-neil-gorsuch/article_ca259d00-8777-5a61-96b8-44742358ead8.html |access-date=February 5, 2018 |work=The Missoulian |date=April 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131448/http://missoulian.com/news/government-and-politics/tester-will-oppose-neil-gorsuch/article_ca259d00-8777-5a61-96b8-44742358ead8.html |archive-date=February 6, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Tester also voted against Trump's nominees Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.{{cite news |url=https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/09/28/montana-senator-jon-tester-no-vote-brett-kavanaugh-confirmation-supreme-court/1459735002/ |title=Montana Sen. Tester a 'no' vote on Kavanaugh confirmation |author=Volz, Matt |work=Great Falls Tribune |access-date=September 18, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7793 |title=Tester Statement On Supreme Court Nominee |access-date=January 25, 2021}} Tester voted to confirm Joe Biden's nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Tester Statement on Confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson |url=https://www.tester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/pr-9022/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=tester.senate.gov |language=en}}

Tester did not support Gina Haspel's nomination in 2018 to become CIA Director.{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/08/politics/jon-tester-no-gina-haspel-cia-director/index.html?sr=twCNNp050818jon-tester-no-gina-haspel-cia-director1224PMVODtop&CNNPolitics=Tw |title=Democratic Sen. Jon Tester to vote no on Haspel: 'I'm not a fan of waterboarding' |first=Daniella |last=Diaz |publisher=CNN |date=May 8, 2018 |access-date=2018-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075627/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/08/politics/jon-tester-no-gina-haspel-cia-director/index.html?sr=twCNNp050818jon-tester-no-gina-haspel-cia-director1224PMVODtop&CNNPolitics=Tw |archive-date=May 9, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} The first Democrat from a red state to express opposition to her, he cited her role in Bush administration interrogation and detention programs, and said he was "not a fan of waterboarding".

File:John Tester Richard Star Bill.jpg]]

In 2018, as ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester raised concerns about the nomination of Ronny Jackson to head the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. There were allegations that Jackson had dispensed medications in a medically unethical fashion, was drunk on an overseas trip, and drunkenly banged on the hotel door of a female colleague.{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/28/politics/donald-trump-jon-tester-resign/index.html |title=Donald Trump calls for Jon Tester to resign over Jackson opposition |last1=Korade |first1=Matt |last2=Tatum |first2=Sophie |publisher=CNN |access-date=2018-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429025145/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/28/politics/donald-trump-jon-tester-resign/index.html |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Jackson denied the allegations but withdrew his nomination.{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/27/donald-trump-ronny-jackson-allegations-a-disgrace-557673 |title=Trump challenges allegations against Jackson, calls on Tester to resign |work=Politico |author=Parthasarathy, Maya |date=April 27, 2018 |access-date=2018-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428155358/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/27/donald-trump-ronny-jackson-allegations-a-disgrace-557673 |archive-date=April 28, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} In response, Trump called for Tester's resignation and said the allegations against Jackson were false. According to CNN, four sources familiar with the allegation that Jackson drunkenly banged on the door of a female colleague confirmed it. The Secret Service said it could not verify any of the allegations. Johnny Isakson, the Republican chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, defended Tester, saying he had no problem with Tester's handling of the nomination.{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/385317-gop-va-committee-chair-does-not-have-a-problem-with-testers-handling-of/ |title=GOP chairman 'does not have a problem' with Tester's handling of Jackson allegations |last=Anapol |first=Avery |date=2018-04-28 |work=The Hill |access-date=2018-04-28 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429025342/http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/385317-gop-va-committee-chair-does-not-have-a-problem-with-testers-handling-of |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

File:Jon Tester Tractor.jpg

During Tester's senior year in college, he married Sharla Bitz.McKee, Jennifer. [https://tester.senate.gov/Newsroom/01012007_montana_tester.cfm "Mr. Tester Goes to Washington"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106045219/http://tester.senate.gov/Newsroom/01012007_montana_tester.cfm |date=January 6, 2010}} Montana Magazine. January 15, 2007. Article quoted at Jon Tester's official U.S. Senate website. Retrieved 2009-12-26. They have three children.{{Cite book |last=Parker |first=David C. W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eKseBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT197 |title=Battle for the Big Sky: Representation and the Politics of Place in the Race for the US Senate |publisher=CQ Press |year=2014 |isbn=9781483368658 |publication-date=2014 |page=197 |quote=The senator's son, Shon, introduced his family and parents to the assembled reporters and supporters. Both Christine and the Testers' adopted daughter, Melodee, spoke about what their dad meant to them [...]}} Tester is affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/cq/2006/11/08/cq_1907.html | title=Sen.-Elect Jon Tester (D—Mont.) | work=New York Times | date=November 8, 2006}}

Before his election to the Senate, Tester had never lived more than two hours away from his north-central Montana farm. In addition to his Montana farm, Tester owns a home in Washington, D.C.{{cite news|last1=Terris|first1=Ben|title=Jon Tester could teach Democrats a lot about rural America — if he can keep his Senate seat|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/jon-tester-could-teach-democrats-a-lot-about-rural-america--if-he-can-keep-his-senate-seat/2017/05/01/198c03cc-251d-11e7-a1b3-faff0034e2de_story.html|access-date=February 5, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 2, 2017}}

A profile of Tester noted that he butchers and brings his own meat with him to Washington. He said, "Taking meat with us is just something that we do ... We like our own meat".{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Steinhauer |title=Loyal to His 4-Legged Constituents |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/dining/senator-jon-tester-brings-dinner-from-montana.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 10, 2012 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502160814/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/dining/senator-jon-tester-brings-dinner-from-montana.html |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2006 U.S. Senate Montana Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=http://sos.mt.gov/Elections/archives/2000s/2006/elections/primary/2006_State_Primary.pdf |title=2006 Statewide Primary Canvass - June 6, 2006 compiled by Secretary Of State Brad Johnson |access-date=April 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112003246/http://sos.mt.gov/Elections/archives/2000s/2006/elections/primary/2006_State_Primary.pdf |archive-date=January 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jon Tester

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 65,757

| percentage = 60.77

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Morrison

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 38,394

| percentage = 35.48

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Richards

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,636

| percentage = 1.51

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Robert Candee

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,471

| percentage = 1.36

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kenneth Marcure

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 940

| percentage = 0.87

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 108,198

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin

| title = United States Senate election in Montana, 2006{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2006/2006Stat.htm#26 |title=STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF November 7, 2006 |website=clerk.house.gov |access-date=November 15, 2023}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Jon Tester

| votes = 199,845

| percentage = 49.16

| change = +1.92

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Conrad Burns (incumbent)

| votes = 196,283

| percentage = 48.29

| change = −2.27

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Stan Jones

| votes = 10,377

| percentage = 2.55

| change = +2.55

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 406,505

| percentage = 100.00

| change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2012 U.S. Senate Montana Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=https://sosmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/attachments/2012_PRIMARY_STATEWIDE_CANVASS.PDF |publisher=Montana Secretary of State |title=2012 Statewide Primary Election Canvass |access-date=15 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jon Tester (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 88,720

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 88,720

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin

| title = United States Senate election in Montana, 2012{{cite web |url=https://sosmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/attachments/2012_General_Canvass.pdf?dt=1480457264103&dt=1480523087997&dt=1483636395345&dt=1484090685147&dt=1484090818653&dt=1484091059850&dt=1484092785123&dt=1484668556665&dt=1484676687552&dt=1485286813335&dt=1485286979901&dt=1491412807839&dt=1494348815885&dt=1494348873534&dt=1497553987845&dt=1497555053569&dt=1497555121034&dt=1497555299184&dt=1497892315130&dt=1519325848767 |title=2012 Statewide General Election Canvass |publisher=Montana Secretary of State |access-date=January 13, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Jon Tester (incumbent)

| votes = 236,123

| percentage = 48.58

| change = −0.58

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Denny Rehberg

| votes = 218,051

| percentage = 44.86

| change = −3.43

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Dan Cox

| votes = 31,892

| percentage = 6.56

| change = +4.01

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 486,066

| percentage = 100.00

| change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2018 U.S. Senate Montana Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=https://sosmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018-Primary-Official-Statewide-Canvass.pdf |title=2018 Montana primary election results |access-date=June 12, 2019}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jon Tester (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 114,948

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 114,948

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin

| title = United States Senate election in Montana, 2018{{Cite web |url=http://mtelectionresults.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |title=Montana Secretary of State|newspaper=Montana Secretary of State - Christi Jacobsen |date=February 22, 2018 }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Jon Tester (incumbent)

| votes = 253,876

| percentage = 50.33

| change = +1.75

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Matt Rosendale

| votes = 235,963

| percentage = 46.78

| change = +1.92

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Rick Breckenridge

| votes = 14,545

| percentage = 2.88

| change = −3.68

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 504,384

| percentage = 100.00

| change =

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2024 U.S. Senate Montana Democratic primary results{{Cite web |title=Primary Election - June 4, 2024 |url=https://electionresults.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY&eid=450002570 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130044444/https://electionresults.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY&eid=450002570 |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Montana Secretary of State}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Jon Tester (incumbent)|votes=104,279|percentage=96.96%}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Michael Hummert|votes=3,272|percentage=3.04%}}{{Election box total no change|votes=107,551|percentage=100.00%}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2024 United States Senate election in Montana{{Cite web |title=General Election - November 5, 2024 |url=https://electionresults.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220213740/https://electionresults.mt.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |archive-date=2024-12-20 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Montana Secretary of State}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Tim Sheehy

|votes = 319,682

|percentage = 52.64%

|change = +5.86%

}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Jon Tester (incumbent)|votes=276,305|percentage=45.50%|change=-4.83%}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Sid Daoud|votes=7,272|percentage=1.20%|change=-1.68%}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party (United States)|candidate=Robert Barb|votes=4,003|percentage=0.66%|change=N/A}}{{Election box total

|votes = 607,262

|percentage = 100.00%

|change = N/A

}}{{Election box gain with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}{{Election box end}}

• {{Cite book |last=Tester |first=Jon |year=2020 |title=Grounded: A Senator's Lessons on Winning Back Rural America |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iYPEDwAAQBAJ |edition=1st hardcover |location=New York |publisher=Ecco |isbn=9780062977489 |oclc=1182020521}}{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Michel |date=2020-09-12 |title=Democratic Sen. Jon Tester on 'Winning Back Rural America' |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/09/12/912338727/democratic-sen-jon-tester-on-winning-back-rural-america |work=All Things Considered |publisher=NPR}}{{Cite web |last=Pruitt |first=Lisa |date=2021-01-12 |title=Book Review: Grounded by Jon Tester |url=https://dailyyonder.com/book-review-grounded-by-jon-tester/2021/01/12/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Daily Yonder |language=en-US}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

{{Wikisource author}}

• [https://tester.senate.gov/ Senator Jon Tester] official U.S. Senate website
• [https://www.jontester.com/ Jon Tester for Senate]
• {{C-SPAN|1020176}}

{{CongLinks | congbio=T000464 | votesmart=20928 | fec=S6MT00162 | congress=jon-tester/T000464 }}

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Category:1956 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century members of the Montana Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the Montana Legislature

Category:21st-century Montana politicians

Category:21st-century United States senators

Category:American amputees

Category:American Freemasons

Category:American music educators

Category:American people of English descent

Category:American people of Swedish descent

Category:American politicians with disabilities

Category:Democratic Party Montana state senators

Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Montana

Category:Educators with disabilities

Category:Farmers from Montana

Category:Members of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana)

Category:Montana Democrats

Category:People from Chouteau County, Montana

Category:Presidents of the Montana Senate

Category:School board members in Montana

Category:University of Providence alumni

Category:Chairs of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee