Sen. Baucus plans to marry former staffer Hanes

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By then, Hanes had withdrawn her name from consideration and instead took a job with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.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 state prosecutor before joining Baucus' staff.

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By then, Hanes had withdrawn her name from consideration and instead took a job with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.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 state prosecutor before joining Baucus' staff.