In 1889, Power ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Montana, winning the nomination of the Republican Party on the first ballot, but losing the general election to Democratic candidate Joseph Toole, the only Democrat on the state ticket that year to be elected.
A conflict erupted over the respective roles of the governor and the state legislature in appointing the first two members of the United States Senate for the state, but on January 2, 1890, the Republican-controlled legislature elected Power to the second seat, which he then held until March 3, 1895.

Power died at his home in Helena on February 16, 1923, and was interred in Resurrection Cemetery.
The town of Power in Montana is named after him.
In 1889, Power ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Montana, winning the nomination of the Republican Party on the first ballot, but losing the general election to Democratic candidate Joseph Toole, the only Democrat on the state ticket that year to be elected. A conflict erupted over the respective roles of the governor and the state legislature in appointing the first two members of the United States Senate for the state, but on January 2, 1890, the Republican-controlled legislature elected Power to the second seat, which he then held until March 3, 1895.
Power died at his home in Helena on February 16, 1923, and was interred in Resurrection Cemetery. The town of Power in Montana is named after him.
Thomas C. Power