This year is the 50th anniversary of the election of one of Montana’s most transformative governors: Democrat Forrest Anderson.
And this Sunday, MTN News will air a special Face the State program that takes a look at Anderson’s remarkable career, and its impact on Montana.
MTN Chief Political Reporter Mike Dennison will host the show, which features three people who knew Anderson well, or worked with him, during his political career: former special assistant Alec Hansen, campaign ad executive Bob Henkel, and Anderson’s son, Newell Anderson.
Anderson served only one term as governor – but spearheaded dramatic changes in state governance.
Those changes include a massive executive reorganization of Montana state government, creation of the state Board of Investments, and passage of the 1972 state constitution.
Hansen said Anderson’s legacy is showing that one man can make a difference, in government, if he’s focused, and smart.
“Government can work; he proved that. And he’s the only one really in my mind that has proved it conclusively. The things that happened in those four years probably constitute the largest advance in the history of Montana in government relationship to the people and efficiency in the entire history of the state,” Hansen said.
The show will air on KRTV Sunday at 6:30 a.m.
