Dennis R. Rehberg (born October 5, 1955), is an American politician, who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing Montana at-large (map). Born in Billings, Montana, Denny Rehberg served as a member of the Montana State House of Representatives from 1984-91. He was Lieutenant Governor of Montana from 1991-96 along with Governor Marc Racicot. In 1996 he ran for a seat in the United States Senate but lost to incumbent Democrat Max Baucus.
Rehberg attended Billings West High School and Montana State University.
A fifth generation Montanan, Rehberg has been involved in public service and ranching most of his adult life. In 1977 he began working as an intern in the Montana State Senate, and two years later he joined the Washington, D.C. staff of Montana Congressman Ron Marlenee as a legislative assistant. In 1982, Rehberg returned to Montana and ranching.
In 1984, Rehberg was elected to the Montana House of Representatives, where he served three terms. In the legislature, he considered himself to be a fiscal conservative, and he advocated balancing the state budget without any tax increases. He was the only freshman member to serve on the House Appropriations Committee.
In July 1991, Rehberg was appointed Lieutenant Governor by Governor Stan Stephens. The following January when Stephens decided not to seek reelection, Rehberg and Racicot sought the state’s top offices.
As Lieutenant Governor, Rehberg sought to bring government back to the local level by traveling to all 56 counties every year. He chaired the Drought Advisory Committee and the Task Force credited with reforming Worker’s Compensation, the Montana Rural Development Council, and several health care initiatives.
Since 1996, Rehberg has been managing the Rehberg Ranch near Billings. He oversees a herd of 500 cattle and 600 cashmere goats.
Rehberg was elected to Montana’s lone seat in the House of Representatives in November 2000. He currently serves on the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. His Appropriation Subcommittees are: Energy and Water Development, Military Quality of Life, and Foreign Operations.
Rehberg married his high school sweetheart, Jan, a water attorney who represents farmers and ranchers. They have been married for over 25 years and have three children, A.J., Katie, and Elsie. He attended Billings West High School, Montana State University, and Washington State University.
