Representative Rick Hill

Richard Allan Hill (born December 30, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Montana and later became the Republican nominee for Governor of Montana in 2012. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Montana at the federal level during a period of significant political and economic change in the late 1990s and early 2000s, contributing to the legislative process over two terms in office.

Hill’s early life and formative years preceded his entry into public service and business, shaping the perspectives he later brought to state and national politics. Born in 1946, he came of age during the post–World War II era, a time of rapid economic growth and evolving political realignments in the United States. These broader national developments formed the backdrop for his eventual engagement in both the private sector and Republican Party politics.

Before his election to Congress, Hill established himself as a businessman, gaining experience in the private sector that informed his later policy positions, particularly on economic and regulatory issues. His business background helped define his political identity as a pro-business Republican, attentive to the concerns of employers, entrepreneurs, and workers in Montana’s diverse economy, which includes agriculture, natural resources, and tourism.

Hill was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Montana and served from 1997 to 2001. During his tenure in Congress, he participated actively in the democratic process, representing the interests of his constituents at a time marked by debates over federal spending, tax policy, and the role of government in the economy. Serving two terms, he was part of the Republican majority in the House and worked within that context on legislative matters affecting both Montana and the nation. His service coincided with the later years of the Clinton administration and the beginning of the George W. Bush era, a period that included contentious partisan debates and significant policy shifts.

After leaving Congress in 2001, Hill returned to private life and business while remaining engaged in public affairs and Republican politics in Montana. Drawing on his congressional experience and statewide profile, he remained a recognizable figure in the state’s political landscape. His continued involvement in policy discussions and party activities set the stage for his eventual decision to seek statewide executive office.

In November 2010, Hill announced that he would run for Governor of Montana in the 2012 election. He selected State Senator Jon Sonju as his running mate, forming a Republican ticket that emphasized economic growth, job creation, and conservative fiscal management. The campaign unfolded against a backdrop of national economic recovery efforts following the late-2000s financial crisis, with state-level debates over budgets, education funding, and resource development.

On November 6, 2012, Hill was defeated in the general election by his Democratic opponent, Steve Bullock, then the state’s attorney general. Hill received 47.3 percent of the vote to Bullock’s 48.9 percent in a closely contested race that underscored Montana’s competitive political environment. Although unsuccessful in his bid for the governorship, Hill’s candidacy reflected his enduring prominence in Montana politics and his continued commitment to public service after his earlier tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives.