Margaret MacDonald (politician)

Margaret "Margie" MacDonald (born August 31, 1951)[1] is an American politician who served as a member of the Montana Senate for the 26th district from 2017 to 2021. She previously served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives, representing the 54th and 51st district. She also served as Democratic minority whip in both chambers of the legislature.

Margaret MacDonald
Member of the Montana Senate
from the 26th district
In office
January 2, 2017 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byRobyn Driscoll
Succeeded byChris Friedel
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
from the 54th and 51st district
In office
January 5, 2009 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byGary Branae
Succeeded byAdam Rosendale
Personal details
Born (1951-08-31) August 31, 1951
Glendive, Montana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJohn Smillie
Children2
EducationUniversity of Montana (BA)

Early life and education

Born in Glendive, Montana, MacDonald earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Montana.[2][3]

Career

For 14 years, she was director of the Montana Association of Churches, among other actions organizing the "Not in Our Town" campaign against racism and white supremacy. She also served as a staff director of the Northern Plains Resource Council. She then worked for a year as head of the Office of Community Service under Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer, before resigning in 2006 to run for office.[2][4] As of 2016, when she was a candidate for the state senate, she was a regional organizer for the Western Organization of Resource Councils.[3]

In 2006, MacDonald ran unsuccessfully for the Montana Senate to succeed Brent Cromley in District 26; she was narrowly defeated by Republican Roy Brown, who had termed out of the state House.[5][6]

In 2008 MacDonald was elected to the Montana House of Representatives from District 54, south Billings, defeating Republican Debra Bonogofsky.[7] She was re-elected three times;[1][8][9] from 2013, as a result of redistricting, she represented House District 51. She served as minority whip.[1]

She was elected to the State Senate from district 26 in 2016, defeating Republican Don Roberts.[9][10] She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for reelection in the 2020 general election,[11][12] but was defeated by Republican Chris Friedel.[13]

Personal life

MacDonald is married to John Smillie and has two children.[1][3]

References
  1. "Margie MacDonald's biography", Just Facts, Vote Smart, retrieved October 13, 2020.
  2. Jim Gransbery, "Activist Democrat to challenge Brown", Billings Gazette, March 23, 2006.
  3. "Margie McDonald SD 26", Billings Gazette, October 9, 2016.
  4. "Community service director resigns", Billings Gazette, March 21, 2006.
  5. Jim Gransbery, "Brown, MacDonald vie for spot in Senate", Billings Gazette, September 22, 2006.
  6. Mike Stark, "Brown defeats MacDonald in state House race", Billings Gazette, November 7, 2006.
  7. "2008 Legislative General Election Results", State of Montana, retrieved October 13, 2020.
  8. Tom Lutey, "Billings Republican seeks recount in legislative race", Billings Gazette, November 11, 2014.
  9. Tom Lutey, "MacDonald retains win in Senate District 26 by 19 votes after recount", Billings Gazette, December 5, 2016.
  10. "2019 Senate Leadership", Montana State Legislature, retrieved October 13, 2020.
  11. Evelyn Pyburn, "In Record Turnout, Voters Set Contests for General Election", Yellowstone County News, June 5, 2020.
  12. "MT-Winners", Associated Press, June 3, 2020.
  13. Montana Secretary of State, "2020 Legislative General Election Canvass, p. 21, retrieved December 25, 2020.
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