We did this together.

When Sharla and I sat down 18 months ago and decided that we had to try to increase opportunities for our new grand-daughter — and your kids and your grandkids — we knew that the road from Big Sandy to Washington, D.C. would be a long one.

Many didn’t believe that we could ever complete the journey — didn’t believe that a dirt farmer from Big Sandy, whose grandparents homesteaded here, could beat an incumbent Senator with a ton of money.

But as we traveled the state and talked to people, we found we weren’t alone in wanting a better future for our kids and grandkids. And from those conversations began the greatest grassroots campaign for change that Montana has ever seen.

You built that campaign. You believed. And now, 100,000 miles later — here we are. Real Montana is ready for Real Change.

I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done. Words cannot express how deeply grateful and deeply honored Sharla and I are for the hard work and support that grassroots and netroots Democrats gave to this campaign. You opened up your schedules, opened up your wallets, and opened up your hearts to make Montana and our country a better place.

And because of your hard work and efforts, hundreds of thousands of Montanans joined you and our call for change on Election Day.

This never would have happened without you.

The message sent by Montanans in this election is clear: it is time to get to work. Time to make government work again for ordinary Montanans. Time to fix health care. Time to achieve energy independence. Time to find a plan to end the crisis in Iraq and bring our troops home. Time to restore the Montana values of honesty and integrity to the United States Senate. And time to end destructive party politics and work together for real solutions and real change in Montana and this great nation.

And so now — after I finish up a few chores on the farm this weekend — it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

But first I wanted to thank you. I want to thank Sharla, Christine and James, Shon, my mother and my brothers for their inspiration. I want to thank Governor Brian Schweitzer, for all that we have achieved together here in Montana and for all his support on the campaign trail. I want to thank Senator Max Baucus for his leadership, counsel and support — I look forward to serving with Max for many years to come to bring needed energy and investment to our great state. And I want to thank Senator Conrad Burns for his 18 years of service to our state, and his pledge to make the transition a smooth one for the benefit of all Montanans.

But most of all, I want to thank the people of Montana and you for all of your hard work. There aren’t many places in this great country where a small family farmer with just a few acres could make it to the United States Senate.

I will never forget all the work you have done to make this victory possible. In fact, I will remember it every day. I know the trust and hope you have put into this campaign, and I will always do my best to honor the work you have done.

This campaign has always been about the people of Montana, about neighbors talking to neighbors about what we can achieve together.

And we have proven that when we work together, Montanans can achieve what many believe to be impossible.

Winston Churchill said that politicians work for the next election, and that statesmen work for the next generation. I will do my best to work for the next generation of Montanans, and to get this country moving forward again for the benefit of Montana’s working families.

Thank you, again, and God Bless you all.

Jon Tester

Chief of Staff: Stephanie Schriock
Schriock will become Tester’s Chief of Staff after managing his successful Senate campaign. Growing up in Butte, Schriock has broad political experience working for high profile leaders around the nation. Schriock served as senior advisor for Gov. Howard Dean’s Presidential campaign in Vermont and managed David Walters’ Senate Campaign in Oklahoma. She worked at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 1999-2002 aiding campaigns across the country including Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s U.S. Senate campaign in 2000 and the 2002 re-election campaign of Sen. Max Baucus.

State Director: Bill Lombardi
Lombardi has more than a dozen years of political experience in Montana. He managed Tester’s U.S. Senate primary campaign and served as Political Director on Tester’s general election campaign. For six years Lombardi worked for Sen. Max Baucus as Communications Director. In 2005, Lombardi served as Secretary of the Montana Senate under then-Senate President Tester. Lombardi also played key roles on numerous political campaigns throughout his career. Before entering politics Lombardi was an award-winning journalist, and served as Bureau Chief for Lee Newspapers in Montana. Lombardi received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Legislative Director: Bridget Walsh
Walsh has worked for the last six years for Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida starting on his campaign in 2000. She served as Nelson’s Deputy Legislative Director for the last three years. She also worked on the legal team for the Kerry/Edwards Presidential campaign, and joined Sen. Tim Johnson’s re-election campaign in 2002. Prior to her work in politics Walsh practiced law in Chicago. She is a graduate of Loyola University Law School and the University of Notre Dame.

Communications Director: Matt McKenna
McKenna, a Bozeman native, served as Communications Director on Tester’s Senate campaign. He previously worked on the U.S . Senate campaigns of Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer in 2000 and former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles in 2004. McKenna also worked for U.S. Senators Tom Daschle, Max Cleland and Mary Landrieu. He holds a B.S. in Political Science from Montana State University.

Press Secretary: Aaron Murphy
Murphy is a former Executive Producer for KTVQ-TV in Billings, Mont. He served as Deputy Communications Director on Tester’s campaign. Murphy also produced morning news for KGW-TV in Portland, Ore., and worked as the Portland Bureau Coordinator for Northwest Cable News. Murphy, a former Yellowstone Park Ranger, received his B.S. in Journalism from the University of Montana.

“We’re putting together a staff that will be very responsive to Montana’s needs,” Tester said. “These folks are smart, hard-working public servants.”

Tester will announce other members of his staff in the coming days. Most will be in place by the time he takes office on Thursday, January 4th.

U.S. Senator-Elect Jon Tester and his wife Sharla will visit Havre and Kalispell on Saturday, continuing their tour to meet with Montanans before returning to Washington, D.C. in January.

“This is a good chance to say ‘thank you’ to the Montanans who have put their trust in me to serve as their next U.S. Senator,” Tester said.

The tour continues Saturday morning in Havre with an 11:30 a.m. conversation at the Eagles Club. Later in the day, a 6:00 p.m. conversation is planned in Kalispell at the Museum at Central School.

“Sharla and I may be spending time in Washington, but our home will always be in Montana,” Tester said. “And it’s always a pleasure for us to talk with our neighbors around the state.”

Tester will formally become Montana’s next U.S. Senator when he takes his oath of office in Washington on Thursday, January 4.

U.S. Senator-Elect Jon Tester and his wife Sharla on Friday will begin a tour across the state to meet with Montanans before returning to Washington, D.C. in January.

“This is a good chance to say ‘thank you’ to the Montanans who have put their trust in me to serve as their next U.S. Senator,” Tester said.

The tour begins Friday morning in Billings with an 11:00 a.m. conversation at McCormick Cafe. Other conversations, which are free and open to the public, are planned in Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Butte and Great Falls.

“Sharla and I may be spending time in Washington, but our home will always be in Montana,” Tester said. “And it’s always a pleasure for us to talk with our neighbors around the state.”

Tester will formally become Montana’s next U.S. Senator when he takes his oath of office in Washington on Thursday, January 4.

From the Associated Press:

Burns, a three-term senator whose campaign was troubled by verbal gaffes and voter discontent, congratulated Tester, a farmer and state legislator.

“I stand ready to help as Montana transitions to a new United States Senator,” Burns said in a statement provided to the AP. “We fought the good fight and we came up just a bit short. We’ve had a good 18 years and I am proud of my record.”