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Marc Racicot Papers, 1970-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Racicot, Marc, 1948-
Title
Marc Racicot Papers
Dates
1970-2009 (inclusive)
Quantity
14.2 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 1034
Summary
This collection consists of materials generated and collected by Marc Racicot during his professional career from 1970-2009, when he worked as Montana special prosecutor, attorney general, and governor of Montana, and held leadership roles in the Republican National Party. Included are legal case files, prosecution materials, legislative information, campaign materials, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks and audiovisual materials.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Marc Racicot was born on July 24, 1948 in Thompson Falls, Montana, and raised in Libby and Miles City. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, in 1970 and earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Montana School of Law in 1973. Racicot was an Army ROTC graduate and was assigned to the Judge Advocate General's Corps stationed in West Germany, where he served as chief prosecutor until 1976. Upon return to Montana, Racicot became the deputy county attorney for Missoula County from 1976 to 1977 and then worked as the special prosecutor of Montana from 1977 to 1988. He was elected attorney general of Montana in 1988 and then served two terms as governor of Montana, from 1992-2001. As governor, Racicot emphasized government efficiency, tax reform and utility deregulation, and worked with the legislature to eliminate a $200 million deficit.

In 2000, the presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore ended too close to call, sparking a vote recount in the state of Florida. Marc Racicot, then the outgoing Republican governor of Montana and a close friend and colleague of George W. Bush, served as a prominent surrogate and adviser for the Bush campaign. Drawing on his background as a prosecutor and attorney general, Racicot was sent to Florida to help defend the Republican position amidst the legal and political battles. In 2002, Racicot was appointed as the Chair of the Republican National Committee by George W. Bush. He resigned from this position in 2003 to become the chairman for George W. Bush’s successful 2004 re-election campaign.

Marc Racicot married Theresa Barber in Big Timber, Montana, in 1970. The Racicots have five children: Ann, Tim, Mary Catherine, Theresa Rose and Joe.

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Content Description

The Marc Racicot Papers document Racicot’s professional career from 1970-2009, encompassing his roles as Montana Special Prosecutor, Attorney General, and Governor of Montana. Additionally, the collection reflects Racicot's national political role in the Republican Party and as campaign chairman for President George W. Bush. Components of the collection include closing arguments from high-profile cases Racicot prosecuted in the 1970s and 1980s; insight into his public service through scrapbooks, speeches and correspondence; and materials related to his 1992 and 1996 political campaigns.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Non-exclusive rights to some materials in the collection are held by the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

Marc Racicot Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in nine series, one of which is further arranged into two subseries.

Series I: Prosecution Materials, 1977-1987, 0.5 linear feet

Series II: Campaigns for Governor, 1992-1996, 1.1 linear feet

Subseries 1: 1992 Campaign for Governor, 1992, 0.4 linear feet

Subseries 2: 1996 Campaign for Governor, 1993-1996, 0.7 linear feet

Series III: George W. Bush Presidential Election Recount, 2000-2001, 0.1 linear feet

Series IV: National Republican Leadership, 1999-2009, 0.6 linear feet

Series V: Speeches, 1988-2000, 0.4 linear feet

Series VI: Miscellaneous, 1986-1999, 0.1 linear feet

Series VII: Photographs, 1970-2005, 1.2 linear feet

Series VIII: Scrapbooks, 1977-2005, 9.0 linear feet

Series IX: Audiovisual Materials, 1993-2004, 1.2 linear feet

Custodial History

The materials in this collection were held by Marc Racicot until their donation to the University of Montana's Archives and Special Collections.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to the University of Montana's Archives and Special Collections by Marc Racicot in 2024.

Processing Note

This collection was largely identified by topic area by Governor Racicot prior to donation to the Archives. Some collection contents were foldered during processing, including contents received in three-ring binders.

Related Materials

The Montana State Archives, located at the Montana Historical Society, holds the official papers of Montana governors, including Governor Marc Racicot.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Attorneys general--Montana
  • Contested elections--United States
  • Governors--Montana
  • Justice, Administration of--Montana
  • Political Campaigns--United States
  • Special prosecutors--Montana

Personal Names

  • Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-
  • Racicot, Marc, 1948- Archives

Corporate Names

  • Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Politics and government

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Montana. Governor (1993-2001 : Racicot

Finding aid prepared by Jennifer Hisatomi Lakatua
2025

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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