HELENA — Greg Gianforte was sworn in as Montana's 25th governor in a small ceremony Monday morning.
Before winning the governor's office, Gianforte represented Montana in the U.S. House and co-founded a successful software development company in Bozeman.
Gianforte ran on his business experience and said he will use those skills to boost the state economy and its historically low wages.
He previously told MTN his top priority will be helping Montanans and the state's economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week he said he expects to announce new guidelines for fighting the coronavirus and indicated he could relax some of the restrictions put in place by the previous administration this week.
Gianforte is Montana's first Republican governor in 16 years and has strong GOP majorities in the Montana House and Senate.
When asked about legislative priorities, Gianforte said he’ll be focused on his Montana “comeback plan,” a 12-page outline of wide-ranging policies that emphasize business development in the state and fiscal and social conservatism.
In an excerpt from his inaugural address released over the weekend, Gianforte thanked Montanans for the support they have given him.
The swearing-in ceremony was be held in front of a small group of people in the Governor's Reception Room at 9:00 a.m.
