Former Montana Gov. Stan Stephens, a longtime state legislator and 1996 inductee to the Montana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, died April 3 in Kalispell after a period of declining health. He was 91.Â
Stephens was remembered Monday for his unflinching optimism, skills as a communicator and bitter fights with the Democratic legislative branch. Stephens had broken a 20-year string of Democratic governorships when he was elected in 1988.
He served one term in the governor s office, bowing out of his reelection bid in 1992 due to health concerns. In his wake, Republican governors Marc Racicot and Judy Martz followed, while the GOP flourished in the Legislature.