1978 United States Senate election in Montana
The 1978 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 7, 1978. Following the death of United States Senator Lee Metcalf on January 12, 1978, Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul G. Hatfield was appointed to serve for the remainder of Metcalf's term. Hatfield opted to run for re-election, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by United States Congressman Max Baucus of the 1st congressional district. Baucus advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Larry R. Williams, an author and the Republican nominee. Baucus ended up defeating Williams by a solid margin to win his first term in the Senate, and, following Hatfield's resignation on December 12, 1978, he began serving his first term in the Senate.
John Lewis (Montana politician)
Lewis worked for Senator Baucus for 12 years, starting as a field organizer for Baucus's 2002 reelection campaign. Lewis then worked for five years as a legislative assistant before becoming director of field operations for Baucus's 2008 campaign. Lewis became Baucus's deputy state director after the campaign, and was promoted to state director in 2010. On Baucus's behalf, in 2011 Lewis attempted to visit all 56 Montana counties and meet with the mayors of all 129 incorporated Montana towns. He ultimately met with 118 mayors, traveling more than 20,000 miles in his car.