Chuck Johnson, a highly respected journalist and renowned Montana political reporter, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Helena on Saturday. He held the distinction of being one of the state’s longest-serving statehouse journalists and was affectionately known as the “dean of Montana political reporters.”
Johnson worked as a journalist in Montana for the state’s leading newspapers and wire services for 45 years until his retirement in 2017. Throughout his career, he diligently reported on Montana politics and government, providing readers with valuable insights and a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Over the years, Johnson covered an impressive range of events, including 22 legislative sessions, eight governors, nine U.S. senators, and 12 U.S. representatives. His reporting was highly regarded for its accuracy and impartiality, as he was known to deliver facts while incorporating a historical context and deep institutional knowledge. This approach allowed readers to gain a broad perspective on the most significant issues of the time.
Pat Hunt, the wife of Johnson, expressed that her husband was adored by the people of Montana, and his absence will be deeply felt throughout the entire state.
On Monday, Hunt expressed her deep gratitude towards the numerous individuals who genuinely adored Chuck. Their immense love for him was truly touching and she values each and every one of them. Chuck was incredibly humbled by their affection, and it held great significance in his life. He genuinely cared for everyone, as well as the state of Montana. The void left by his absence is truly heartbreaking.
Johnson had a deep love for baseball, and he shared this passion with Hunt. The two of them had just come back from Arizona, where they had the incredible opportunity to witness their beloved Major League Baseball team, the Chicago Cubs, in action during spring training.
Hunt stated, “He expressed his immense happiness upon entering the ballpark.”
Since 2020, Johnson has been a member of the board of directors for the Montana Free Press, and as of 2021, he has taken on the role of board chair.
Drew Geiger, a longstanding member on the MTFP board, emphasized that Johnson’s most notable quality was his deep-rooted humility.
According to Geiger, this individual is like a human history encyclopedia, constantly amusing others with their sense of humor and continuously fascinated by the various encounters of humanity.
Skylar Browning, a former journalist and secretary of the MTFP board, expressed the immense value that Johnson brought as a board member.
According to Browning, he provided MTFP with the same wealth of historical knowledge, wisdom, and guidance that he had become renowned for sharing with readers and fellow journalists over many years as the leading political reporter in the state. Browning expressed his deep sadness, stating that his departure is a significant loss for everyone involved.
John Adams, the founder and Executive Director of MTFP, expressed agreement with Browning’s remarks.
Adams expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing about Chuck’s death. He emphasized that Chuck was a well-loved friend to many individuals in Montana and his influence on the state cannot be measured. Throughout his long career as a journalist, he guided and supported numerous young reporters, displaying humility, kindness, respect, and fairness. Personally getting to know Chuck in recent years brought immense joy to Adams’ life. The state of Montana has truly lost one of its greatest assets.
Born in 1948 in Great Falls, Johnson was the eldest among four siblings. When he was just a year and a half old, his family relocated to Helena. At an early age, Johnson embarked on his journalism journey by contributing to the student newspaper, The Nugget, at Helena High School.
Johnson went on to pursue a journalism degree at the University of Montana in Missoula.
As a young reporter still attending UM, Johnson’s first big story was covering the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention for the Associated Press. His daily dispatches to the AP are among the most comprehensive day-to-day accounts of that historic event, affectionately nicknamed the “Con Con.”
Johnson was involved in a commemoration event for the Con Con’s 50th anniversary in 2022. As a part of this celebration, he contributed to an oral history project, sharing his thoughts and experiences from his coverage of the convention.
“In the September 2021 interview, Johnson expressed his delight in both participating in and observing the reform taking place. He described it as a liberating experience, as it felt like the removal of long-held constraints on the state of Montana.”
In 2021, Sarah Vowell, a renowned Montana author, columnist, and history enthusiast, took the lead in organizing an oral history initiative to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Con Con. This project received sponsorship from MSU and Montana Free Press. As a part of this endeavor, Johnson generously lent Vowell several boxes containing his personal historical archives.
In a letter to MSU nominating Johnson for an honorary doctorate, Vowell wrote:
“Chuck’s boxes of notes, publications, handouts, floor speeches, citizen testimony, other reporters’ coverage, delegate campaign brochures, pre-convention research and innumerable other scraps of paper, along with his tireless input, advice, gossip and enthusiasm about the convention, have been an invaluable resource to me and my colleagues at Montana Free Press as we researched and prepared our interviews of surviving delegates and staff.”
When reached for comment on Monday, Vowell expressed that collaborating with Johnson on the Con Con project held a special place among her treasured personal reminiscences.
Vowell speculated that the Montana Historical Society would experience an increase in inquiries and visits from individuals seeking detailed information on Montana history and politics. The reason for this surge being that Chuck, who was previously relied upon for such knowledge, is no longer available. Vowell mentioned revisiting an email from Chuck that she had received in September, in which he passionately recounted a fifty-year account of governors, sawmills, strikes, and pipefitters, all recollected from his vast knowledge and experience.
In May 2022 Johnson received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Montana State University. In a video honoring Johnson during the commencement ceremony, journalist and author Kathleen McLaughlin, who worked with Johnson early in her career, said Johnson had a knack for contextualizing news.
“In the video, McLaughlin expressed that he possessed an exceptional understanding of Montana’s political history, even at a minute level. He had an impressive ability to uncover obscure details and skillfully incorporate them into narratives, enriching the quality of his reporting and effectively conveying the significance of various events to the audience.”
On Monday, politicians throughout the state responded to the news of Johnson’s demise.
In 2015, Sen. Jon Tester paid tribute to Johnson during his retirement on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Tester expressed in a statement via email that Chuck was an exemplary journalist, consistently well-prepared, and unafraid to speak truth to those in positions of authority.
Tester, a Democrat, expressed his admiration for Chuck as a journalist, highlighting his integrity, dedication to truth, and courage to hold individuals accountable. Chuck’s exceptional reporting skills and admirable character earned him the respect of readers and elected officials from all political backgrounds. His contributions in keeping Montanans well-informed for many years will be deeply missed by his loved ones, friends, and numerous individuals in the Treasure State. Sharla and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican who became Johnson’s neighbor after being elected and moving to Helena in 2020, said he and first lady Susan Gianforte are “deeply saddened” at the news of the passing of their “friend and a giant in political journalism.”
“From the countless reporters whom he mentored generously to the state he loved so dearly, Montana has lost a legend,” Gianforte said in a statement. “For over four decades, Chuck served the people of Montana as a fair, honest, affable, tenacious journalist with a deep passion for his craft. Susan and I mourn the loss of Chuck and pray for Pat and their loved ones.”
Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke, a Republican, also released a statement in which he said “Montana lost a trusted and respected voice.”
“There is no doubt Chuck is one of the greats,” Zinke said. “I always knew him to be comprehensive, fair and informed. He wielded his power of the pen to uphold the Founders’ vision of the Fourth Estate, and he has my deepest respect. Rest in peace, Chuck. You will be missed.”
This story was update March 6, 2023, to include post-publication comment and response from author Sarah Vowell, Sen. Jon Tester, Gov. Greg Gianforte, and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.
