Maxwell Sieben Baucus (born Max Sieben Enke on December 11, 1941, in Helena, Montana) is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Montana from 1978 to 2014, becoming the state's longest-serving senator. Born to Jean Enke from a prominent ranching family and economist Stephen Enke, Baucus adopted his stepfather's surname after his mother's remarriage. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University in 1964 and a Juris Doctor in 1970. His political career began in the Montana House of Representatives (1973-1974), followed by service as U.S. Representative for Montana's at-large district (1975-1978). As Senate Finance Committee Chairman, he played a key role in tax and trade policies, including securing permanent normal trade relations with China in 2000 and facilitating China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. His career was marked by expertise in finance and international trade but also controversies, including allegations of conflicts of interest due to ties with health insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and ethical concerns over nominating his then-girlfriend as U.S. Attorney. Baucus has been married three times: to Ann Geracimos, then Wanda Minge (with whom he has two children), and since 2011 to Melodee Haines. From 2014 to 2017, he served as U.S. Ambassador to China under President Barack Obama, leveraging his trade policy experience. Post-ambassadorship, he remains active in policy discussions through the Baucus Institute at Montana Tech, focusing on U.S.-China relations and economic issues.