Forrest H. Anderson holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Montana and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America. He began his career in public service as a member of the Montana House of Representatives and later served as Lewis and Clark County Attorney. Anderson transitioned to the judiciary as an Associate Justice on the Montana Supreme Court before serving three terms as Montana Attorney General. He was elected Governor of Montana, during which he consolidated 161 state agencies into 19 departments and established the Board of Investments. His tenure was marked by significant executive reorganization and support for the 1972 Constitutional Convention.

Forrest H. Anderson's political identity is marked by an ideological agility that juxtaposes his anti-sales tax stance with surprising environmental disputes. Anderson's tenure reveals a penchant for executive reorganization, consolidating state agencies to streamline the budget, yet he also engaged in contentious environmental battles. His legislative actions, such as opposing sales tax and facilitating a constitutional convention, showcase a strategic approach to governance that balances fiscal conservatism with institutional reform.