Senator Baucus Engaged To Former Staffer

Wedding bells will be ringing soon as one of Montana's U.S. Senator's, Max Baucus, says he plans to marry his girlfriend and former staffer Melodee Hanes. Baucus and his second wife divorced in 2009.

HELENA — U.S. Sen. Max Baucus says he plans to marry his girlfriend and former director of his state offices.

Baucus said Monday he and Melodee Hanes were engaged over the Christmas holiday in Helena. The 69-year-old veteran Democrat says they intend to marry in Montana this summer.

Baucus and his second wife, Wanda, divorced in early 2009 after 25 years of marriage.

The senator recommended Hanes for Montana's U.S. attorney post in 2009, a move that later came under scrutiny due to their relationship.

By then, Hanes had withdrawn her name from consideration and instead took a job with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.

Hanes was a former state prosecutor before joining Baucus' staff.

via Sen. Baucus engaged to former staffer - Billings Gazette