Conrad Burns

Conrad Burns – Life, Career, and Selected Quotes

Learn about Conrad Burns (1935–2016), the long-serving Republican U.S. Senator from Montana, his background, political journey, controversies, and memorable remarks.

Introduction: Who Was Conrad Burns?

Conrad Ray Burns (January 25, 1935 – April 28, 2016) was an American politician and businessman best known for his service as United States Senator from Montana from 1989 to 2007.

Burns was only the second Republican ever to be popularly elected to the Senate from Montana, and he remains the longest-serving Republican senator in Montana’s history.

His career was marked by advocacy for rural and agricultural interests, infrastructure and telecommunications issues, and controversies regarding comments and ethics.

Early Life and Family

Conrad Burns was born on a farm near Gallatin, Missouri, to Russell Burns and Mary Frances (née Knight) Burns.

He graduated from Gallatin High School in 1952. He briefly studied agriculture at the University of Missouri but left before completing a degree.

In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving until 1957, during which time he was stationed in East Asia.

After leaving the military, Burns worked in the aviation industry (Trans World Airlines and Ozark Air Lines) and then moved to Montana, where he became active in agricultural media and broadcasting.

In 1967 he married Phyllis Jean Kuhlmann, and they had three children: Kate, Keely, and Garrett.

Career and Achievements

From Agriculture, Broadcasting, to Politics

Burns’s entry into public life stemmed from his work in agricultural markets and media. In 1968 he began a role as a field representative for Polled Hereford World magazine in Billings, Montana.

He later founded the Northern Agricultural Network (broadcasting network) in 1975, which eventually expanded to serve many Montana radio and television stations.

He also served on the Yellowstone County Commission for two years before entering national politics.

U.S. Senate (1989–2007)

In the 1988 election, Burns ran for the U.S. Senate and defeated incumbent Democrat John Melcher, becoming Montana’s second Republican senator.

During his Senate tenure, he served on Senate Appropriations, and chaired subcommittees on the Interior. He also chaired the Communications subcommittee of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

He secured federal funding for projects in Montana (roads, rural infrastructure, etc.) and was a vocal proponent of agricultural, natural resource, and rural broadband/telecommunication initiatives.

He was re-elected in 1994 more comfortably, but his 2000 re-election faced tougher challenges, with criticisms over policy positions and controversial statements.

In 2006, he lost his bid for a fourth term to Democrat Jon Tester and left the Senate on January 3, 2007.

Later Career & Lobbying

After leaving the Senate, Burns became a lobbyist, associating with firms including GAGE (co-founded by a former staffer).

He also founded Rural Solutions Corporation, aimed at broadband and rural communications development.

Burns suffered a stroke circa December 2009 and remained in declining health in later years.

He died on April 28, 2016 in Billings, Montana.

He was later interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Controversies & Criticism

Burns’ career was peppered with some controversies:

• He drew heavy criticism for making racially insensitive remarks: e.g. in 1999, he referred to Arabs as “ragheads,” for which he later apologized.

• His associations and contributions from lobbyist Jack Abramoff and related tribes led to ethics scrutiny during his time as chairman of appropriations subcommittees.

• He faced accusations of using earmarks and influence in appropriations to benefit political allies or donors.

• During his 2006 campaign, he also made remarks criticizing firefighters’ performance and other blunt commentary that raised backlash.

Time magazine once labeled him one of “America’s Five Worst Senators” (in 2006) citing controversial statements and perceived limited legislative achievements.

Personality and Traits

• Burns was often described as candid, outspoken, and rough around the edges—his style was seen as appealing to rural voters who preferred directness.

• He emphasized his agricultural roots and identity as a Montanan, positioning himself as a voice for rural and frontier issues.

• His strength lay in delivering to his home state—securing funds, projects, and protections—and speaking plainly to constituents.

• At the same time, his bluntness sometimes led to missteps or offense, and his style had both loyal supporters and strong critics.

Selected Quotes of Conrad Burns

Here are several quotes attributed to Conrad Burns that reflect his priorities and rhetorical style:

• “Knowledge is power. Most of us agree that something has to be done to strengthen Social Security, and I believe it’s irresponsible to arbitrarily dismiss any idea, Republican nor Democrat, without giving it a hard look.”

• “I come from Montana, and in eastern Montana we have a lot of dirt between light bulbs. It is expensive trying to bring the new technologies to smaller schools to upgrade their technologies to take advantage of distance learning.”

• “Vocational education programs have made a real difference in the lives of countless young people nationwide; they build self-confidence and leadership skills by allowing students to utilize their unique gifts and talents.”

• “There is no good reason for our cattle producers to have such limited market access. Our beef is the best in the world, and we need to be allowed to reach global markets.”

• “Lawsuits - and frivolous lawsuits - are just sapping the life out of the people who perform the services and deliver the goods for the rest of the citizenry in the State of Montana.”

• “They appear to have had a higher voter turnout in Iraq than we did in our recent federal elections, and we didn’t have terrorists threatening to kill our families if we voted.”

These quotes illustrate his focus on rural infrastructure, education, regulation, and a straightforward, sometimes combative rhetorical voice.

Lessons from Conrad Burns

From Burns’s life and career, several takeaways emerge:

1. Root your politics in constituency needs
   Burns stayed close to rural and agricultural concerns, which gave him strong appeal in Montana.

2. Strength in delivery and influence
   Securing federal resources and projects for his state allowed him to deliver tangible results, reinforcing his political brand.

3. Candor has costs
   Being outspoken can build authenticity, but slipups or insensitive remarks can carry serious political consequences.

4. Ethics and accountability matter
   Connections with lobbyists and the use of earmarks can come under scrutiny—transparency is essential.

5. Adapt over time
   Burns began outside politics (media, agriculture), entered local government, then national office—illustrating a trajectory built through multiple careers.

Conclusion

Conrad Burns was a prominent figure in Montana and American politics, remembered both for his staunch advocacy for rural and agricultural interests and for the controversies that shadowed his career. His long Senate tenure, media background, and forceful style left a mark on his state’s political landscape.