1. Judith Helen Martz was an American politician, businesswoman, and Olympian speed skater who served as the 22nd governor of Montana from 2001 to 2005.
18 Facts About Judy Martz
1. 2.
Judy Martz previously served as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 1997 to 2001 under the governorship of Marc Racicot.
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Judy Martz was born July 28,1943, in Big Timber, Montana, as Judith Helen Morstein.
4.
Judy Martz's father was a miner and rancher, and her mother was, at various times, a cook, liquor-store clerk and motel maid.
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Judy Martz competed on the US women's speed skating team at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
6.
Judy Martz was one of the first two Montana women to appear in the Olympics.
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Judy Martz helped to establish the US High Altitude Speed Skating Center in Butte.
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Judy Martz worked as a field representative for Republican US Sen.
9.
Judy Martz was the first female lieutenant governor in the state's history.
10.
In 1996, Judy Martz was elected lieutenant governor as Racicot's running mate.
11.
Judy Martz went on to defeat her Democratic opponent, State Auditor Mark O'Keefe, in the general election by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent despite being outspent by a three-to-one margin.
12.
Judy Martz announced that she would not run for re-election as governor in 2004.
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Judy Martz finished her time in office campaigning for President Bush in Ohio, Arizona, and other swing states, and sparring with incoming Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer over the state government transition.
14.
In September 2005, Judy Martz was named chair of Montanans for Judge Roberts, a group supportive of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, and spoke at a rally in support of Roberts.
15.
Judy Martz sat on the boards of Maternal Life International, University of Montana Western, Big Sky State Games, and TASER International, a company that manufacturers non-lethal electrical shock equipment for law enforcement, the military, and private individuals.
16.
In May 2003, Judy Martz was referenced in news for a perceived similarity to the face and hair of a nude bordello dancer sculpted by Seattle artist Kristine Veith, and placed in a new development in downtown Helena.
17.
On November 11,2014, it was announced that Judy Martz had stage II pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment in Arizona.
18.
Judy Martz died of the disease on October 30,2017, in Butte, Montana, at the age of 74.