Quick Facts
Biography
John Melcher (born September 6, 1924) is an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented Montana as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and as a United States Senator from 1977 until 1989.
Early life
Melcher was born in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended the University of Minnesota before joining the military. He served in the United States Army during World War II, serving with the 76th Infantry Division in Europe during World War II. He was wounded in action in Germany and awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Bronze Star.
He graduated from Iowa State University in 1950.
Later he moved to Forsyth, Montana and established a veterinary clinic.
Political career
Melcher became mayor of Forsyth in 1955, serving for three terms. In 1960, he was elected to the Montana House of Representatives for Rosebud County.
In 1962 he was elected to the Montana Senate. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives by special election on June 24, 1969, to fill a vacancy created when the incumbent, Republican James F. Battin, resigned to accept an appointment to the Federal bench. Melcher was re-elected to the three succeeding Congresses and served from June 24, 1969, to January 3, 1977.
In 1976, he was elected to the United States Senate to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Mike Mansfield. Melcher was re-elected in 1982 against Republican Larry R. Williams. A highlight of the latter campaign was the "moo cows for Melcher" ad. Melcher had been targeted by National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC) as potentially vulnerable, and he was subjected to attack ads depicting him as "too liberal for Montana". Melcher's response became a classic of campaign advertising, featuring a shot of an "out-of-stater" carrying a briefcase full of money, followed by a conversation among several cows deploring their intervention in the race.
His campaign for re-election in 1988 was unsuccessful; he was defeated by Republican Conrad Burns.
On April 2, 2008 Melcher endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.