Shannon O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Chair of theMontana Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office September 14, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Robyn Driscoll |
| Member of theMontana Senate from the 46th district | |
| In office January 4, 2021 – January 6, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Sue Malek |
| Succeeded by | Jacinda Morigeau |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 or 1969 (age 56–57) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Chuck |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Washington (BA) Gonzaga University (MEd) University of Montana (EdD) |
Shannon O'Brien (born 1968/1969)[1] is an American educator and politician who has served as the chair of theMontana Democratic Party since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she was a member of theMontana Senate from the 46th district from 2021 to 2025, and ran unsuccessfully forMontana Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2024.
O'Brien was born inPortland, Oregon. Raised onOrcas Island,Washington, she graduated from Orcas Island High School.[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from theUniversity of Washington in 1991, a Master of Education fromGonzaga University, and an EdD from theUniversity of Montana.[3]
From 1994 to 1998, O'Brien was a history teacher atStanwood High School inStanwood, Washington. She was later an administrator at the Early College for Native Youth. From 2013 to 2015, she was an education policy advisor for GovernorSteve Bullock. She was the dean of theMissoula College–University of Montana from 2015 to 2017[4] before accepting a "voluntary buyout" to step down as dean due to "budget concerns."[5] O'Brien was elected to theMontana Senate in November 2020 and assumed office on January 4, 2021.[6] She did not run for re-election in 2024, opting instead to run unsuccessfully forMontana Superintendent of Public Instruction.[7]
In September 2025, O'Brien was elected chair of theMontana Democratic Party.[8]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chair of theMontana Democratic Party 2025–present | Incumbent |