A member of the Democratic Party, Schwinden was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1958, defeating Republican incumbent Chris S. Tange to represent Roosevelt County.[8] Schwinden completed two terms in the House but was unsuccessful in his campaign for a third term.[3] He was elected and named to the Legislative Council in 1959. He served as the House minority whip in 1961. In 1965, he was elected president of the Grain Growers Association. In 1969, he was named Commissioner of State Lands by governor Forrest H. Anderson.[3] He was reappointed in 1973 and served until April 1976. Schwinden resigned to campaign for lieutenant governor and was elected the 23rd lieutenant governor of Montana, serving under Governor Thomas Lee Judge.[9] He served as lieutenant governor from 1977 to 1981.[10]
Schwinden defeated Judge in the Democratic primary in 1980. He then beat Republican Jack Ramirez in that year's gubernatorial election to become the 19th governor of Montana.[11][12][13] He was re-elected governor in 1984, getting the victory over State Senator Pat M. Goodover.[13] Hallmarks of Schwinden's governorship were his "Build Montana" economic plan and popular traveling "Capital for a Day" events, and was known for leading Montana through its economic difficulties.[2][13] He took pride in being what he felt was a governor who maintained an open and attentive approach to the needs and concerns of the public.[13] Despite favorable polling in 1988, he chose not to seek a third term as governor, staying true to his promise of serving only two terms in office.[3]
Personal life and death
Schwinden married the former Jean Christianson in 1946. Schwinden and his wife had two sons, Mike Schwinden and Dore Schwinden, and one daughter, Chrys Anderson.[4][9] Jean Schwinden died from cancer on March 24, 2007, at age 81.[14][15]
On October 7, 2023, Schwinden died at home of daughter, Chrys Anderson in Phoenix, Arizona, age 98.[3][16]
^Neuharth, Allen H.; Ken Paulson; Dan Greaney; Jo-Ann Swanson; Gaynelle Evans (June 8, 1987). "MONTANA;We want to grow, and protect a way of life". USA Today. Retrieved December 5, 2010. Ted Schwinden, 61, a Democrat, was elected governor of Montana in 1980 and was re-elected in 1984. He served as lieutenant governor from 1977 until 1981.