Daines Drops Re-election Bid in Montana, Upending a Senate Race
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Senator Steve Daines of Montana announced he will not seek re-election in 2024, surprising colleagues and opening a rare opportunity for Democrats to potentially flip the seat.
- Daines endorsed Kurt Alme, Montana's U.S. attorney, as his successor, with former President Trump also quickly endorsing Alme.
- Daines, a two-term senator who played a key role in the Republican Senate campaign, stated it was time for new leadership like junior Senator Tim Sheehy to lead Montana's fight in the Senate.
- Montana, which has trended right recently and saw Democrat Jon Tester lose in 2024, remains politically independent, with independent candidate Seth Bodnar entering the Senate race and causing concern among Democrats about vote
