Meet Tom McGillvray
State Senator Representing Senate District 26About Tom McGillvray
Tom McGillvray was born a 5th generation Montanan in Helena on May 22, 1957. His great-great-grandfather came to Gold Creek Montana (Washington territory at the time) in October of 1862 prospecting for Gold and supplying water to placer miners. Tom and his wife Margaret have been married for 47 years and have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Tom attended a small country school in Garrison and then Deer Lodge Montana and graduated with a BS in Agriculture in 1980 from Montana State University-Bozeman. Recently “retired” he served as a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial for 27 years.
In 2004 he was elected to the Montana State House of Representatives. He was elected Majority Whip in 2007, Deputy Minority Floor Leader in 2009, and House Majority Leader in 2011. Tom also served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Montana Republican Legislative Campaign Committee from 2009-2011.
In 2020, Tom was elected to the Montana Senate. In 2023 he served as a Majority whip and as chair of Committee on Committees, and Public Health. He also served as Vice Chair of Section D of Finance and Claims Committee and as a member of Senate Rules committee.
Tom enjoys Montana wildflowers, backpacking, hunting, fishing and when time allows is a bad golfer.
Montana Heritage
“As early as I can remember, my dad took my brothers and me hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, and many other outdoor activities. There was never a dull weekend or season with my father, as he loved the outdoors and instilled a respect and love among my brothers and me for our rich Montana heritage.
I have sought to pass this same love of Montana to my children. From the time my son was four years old, we’ve made it a priority to go fishing, hunting, mountain climbing, and backpacking. Our entire family has a deep love and appreciation for Montana’s forests, streams, and lakes.
Montanans are one with the outdoors. We take our access to public lands seriously.
I believe that the greatest threat to our wildlands and waters is noxious weeds and invasive species. As a young boy, I would pick wildflowers for Mother’s Day near Garrison, Montana. Sadly, there are no longer wildflowers where I picked because spotted knapweed has dominated and taken over. Over 8 million acres of Montana lands are infested, many destroyed by noxious weeds. In addition, our streams and lakes are in jeopardy from invasive species. I will work hard as a legislator to support programs or legislation that will protect our native lands and waters, so our children’s children will continue to experience Montana’s wildlands and streams as we have.”
