Montana Republican Steve Daines drops Senate re-election bid minutes before deadline
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana withdrew from his bid for a third term just before the filing deadline for the November election, endorsing Republican Kurt Alme, who entered the race shortly before the deadline.
- Daines cited the need for new leadership and expressed support for Tim Sheehy to lead Montana’s fight in the Senate, while also receiving endorsement from former President Donald Trump for Alme.
- Independent candidate Seth Bodnar, former University of Montana president, launched a campaign for the Senate seat, highlighting the weakened position of Montana Democrats, who currently hold no statewide offices.
- Montana Democrats have seen diminished influence recently, with no prominent Democratic candidates entering the Senate race following the 2024 defeat of incumbent Senator Jon Tester.
