US Senator. A member of the Democratic Party, he served the State of Montana in the United States Senate from 1978 until 1979. He attended the College of Great Falls and during the Korean War, he served in the Signal Corps with the United States Army. Following his return home, he received his Law degree from the University of Montana and commenced practicing in Great Falls eventually becoming a partner in a law firm. He went on to serve as Chief Deputy County Attorney of Cascade County and Judge of the Eighth Judicial District from 1961 until 1976. He served as the Chief Justice of the State of Montana from 1977 until 1978. He was appointed by Montana Governor Thomas Lee Judge to fill the vacancy left following the death of Senator Lee Metcalf. Hatfield’s brief tenure was defined by his unpopular vote to support the Panama Canal Treaty of which led to the control of the canal by the Panamanian government. He lost his bid for a full term of his own to Max Baucus. He was appointed by President Carter to serve as a federal judge for the District of Montana in 1979. In 1990, he rose to Chief Judge and remained at that capacity until his retirement in 1996. He died from a heart attack.
US Senator. A member of the Democratic Party, he served the State of Montana in the United States Senate from 1978 until 1979. He attended the College of Great Falls and during the Korean War, he served in the Signal Corps with the United States Army. Following his return home, he received his Law degree from the University of Montana and commenced practicing in Great Falls eventually becoming a partner in a law firm. He went on to serve as Chief Deputy County Attorney of Cascade County and Judge of the Eighth Judicial District from 1961 until 1976. He served as the Chief Justice of the State of Montana from 1977 until 1978. He was appointed by Montana Governor Thomas Lee Judge to fill the vacancy left following the death of Senator Lee Metcalf. Hatfield’s brief tenure was defined by his unpopular vote to support the Panama Canal Treaty of which led to the control of the canal by the Panamanian government. He lost his bid for a full term of his own to Max Baucus. He was appointed by President Carter to serve as a federal judge for the District of Montana in 1979. In 1990, he rose to Chief Judge and remained at that capacity until his retirement in 1996. He died from a heart attack.
Bio by: C.S.
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