Bullock chooses new lieutenant governor
<p>Gov. Steve Bullock has chosen Angela McLean, of Anaconda, to be the new Montana lieutenant governor.</p>
Gov. Steve Bullock announced Monday, Feb. 10, that he has chosen Angela McLean, of Anaconda, a school teacher and the current chairwoman of the Montana Board of Regents, to be the new Montana lieutenant governor.
The appointment follows the announcement last week that Bullock had appointed Lt. Gov. John Walsh to fill the remainder of Sen. Max Baucus’ term in the U.S. Senate. Baucus is the new ambassador to China. Walsh will be sworn in on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
A native of Twin Bridges, McLean was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2010 and was elected chairwoman in 2012. The board is responsible for governance and administration of the Montana University System.
An educator and classroom teacher, McLean taught American history and government at Anaconda High School. She was named “Best High School Teacher” by the Montana Standard in 2003.
“From humble beginnings in Twin Bridges, Angela has proven over and over again that if someone works hard and has the support of their friends and community, the sky is the limit,” Bullock said. “As parents of school-age kids, Angela and I know that there is nothing more important than a quality education — it’s the proven path to job creation and economic growth, and it’s the top priority of my administration. Angela will be a strong partner in making sure our schools and colleges are giving our students the tools they need to build an even brighter future for our state.”
A 1989 graduate of Twin Bridges High School, McLean earned a bachelor’s from Western Montana College in Dillon in 1994, becoming the first member of her family to graduate from college.
She went on to earn her master’s of arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Montana in 2000. She became nationally board certified in social studies-history/adolescence and young adulthood in 2005.
“As a high schooler waiting tables at the Blue Anchor Café it would have been hard for me to imagine one day becoming lieutenant governor, but great teachers and the support of my friends, my community and my family have made today possible for me,” McLean said. “We are at a critical moment in Montana’s history, and there is tremendous opportunity for our state. Gov. Bullock has set a clear path for ensuring world-class schools and great jobs for Montanans. I’m incredibly honored to have this opportunity, and I look forward to getting to work for Montana.”
McLean and her husband Mike, an attorney, are the parents of Colin, an eighth grader, and Ellen, who’s in fourth grade.