Senators pay tribute to Lee reporter

In a bipartisan move, Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines on Friday honored the career of Montana political reporter Chuck Johnson with a tribute during a floor speech, officials said.

After learning Lee Newspapers would be closing its state bureau, and veteran reporter Johnson would be retiring, Tester and Daines honored Johnson, according to a news release from Tester's office.

"It's his integrity, commitment to the truth and fair reporting that has earned the respect of politicians and readers alike from both sides of the aisle," Tester, a Democrat, said. "As Chuck leaves political journalism, he leaves a giant hole that will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill."

"If it has to do with Montana politics, Chuck has probably covered it," Republican Daines said, according to the news release. "Montana is saying farewell to a talented and dedicated reporter whose depth of knowledge and lifetime of experience will be hard to replace and whose byline on newspaper stories across Montana will be greatly missed."

Mike Dennison, who also worked the state bureau with Johnson, is leaving as well, but is not retiring.

Lee is the largest newspaper company in Montana. Its capital bureau served newspapers in Billings, Missoula, Helena, Butte and Hamilton.

Johnson got his start reporting on Montana politics in 1972 when he was assigned to cover the drafting of Montana's Constitution for The Associated Press. He then worked for the Missoulian and the Great Falls Tribune. In 1992, Johnson took a job with Lee Enterprises at its state bureau.

As an advocate for transparent government, Johnson was instrumental in opening up Montana's political caucuses to the press, Tester said.