Interviewer
Bob Brown
Files
Description
Steve Doherty describes his time serving in the Montana State Senate from 1993 to 2001. He talks about attending school to become an attorney, then working as one in Great Falls, Montana, his hometown, for a number of years before running for a seat in the Senate. He talks about his political influences and the support of his family and friends which helped him win his first election against Republican Jesse O’Hara. Doherty notes that his experience as an attorney was helpful during his political career and he recalls some of colleagues in the Senate, such as Dorothy Eck, Greg Jergeson, Francis Bardanouve, J.D. Lynch, and Mike Halligan, who inspired him as an incoming senator. He shares his opinions of the governors he served under including Ted Schwinden, Marc Racicot and Stan Stephens. Doherty also shares stories and anecdotes about serving with other Montana legislators including Denny Rehberg, Dorothy Bradley, and Pat Williams, noting that he considered Williams a mentor. He shares his concerns that in 2020 politicians seem less interested in compromise and working across the aisle. He also discusses his thoughts on term limits in the Montana Legislature and how that makes it difficult for legislators to develop long-term relationships which enable them to work more effectively for their constituents.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Great Falls, Montana; Democratic Party; Republican Party; Social justice; Catholic Church; Catholic priests; Jim Murry; Jesse O’Hara; Dorothy Eck; Greg Jergeson; Francis Bardanouve; J.D. Lynch; Mike Halligan; Chet Blaylock; Ted Schwinden; Marc Racicot; Stan Stephens; Denny Rehberg; Dorothy Bradley; Pat Williams; Donald Trump; Chuck Swysgood; Term limits; Montana politics; Montana politics, History of
Original Date
8-30-2019
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Bob Brown Oral History Project, OH 396, Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 396-080
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound file (01:34:07 min.) digital + 1 transcript (30pp.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
01:34:07 minutes
Local Filename
OH_396_080.mp3; OH_396_080.pdf
Citation
Doherty, Stephen, "Stephen A. Doherty Interview, August 30, 2019" (2019). Bob Brown Oral History Project. OH 396-080.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/brown/83