Daines Shocks Montana By Withdrawing
Just before the closure of candidate filing in Montana, incumbent U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from his re-election campaign for a third term.
U.S. Attorney for Montana Kurt Alme filed for office at 4:52 p.m. and Daines endorsed Alme in a statement shortly after.
Daines did not give a specific reason behind his retirement, but released a lengthy statement late on Wednesday.
“Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career and I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve,” Daines said. “After wrestling with this decision for months, I have decided I will not seek re-election. It is time for a new leaders like Tim Sheehy to spearhead the fight for Montana in the United States Senate.
“Prior to public service, I spent 28 years in the private sector. While I found those years very rewarding, they didn’t compare to the fulfillment I’ve found in public service. I’m energized, encouraged, and ready for what comes next.
“I’m thankful to have served alongside President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate. Together, we built a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, spearheaded Republican control of the Senate, delivered the largest tax cut in history, unleashed American energy dominance, secured our southern border, enacted the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act — the most significant conservation achievement in half a century — and forged stronger ties with critical allies across the globe.
“I am especially indebted to my exceptional staff, who have worked tirelessly each day to serve Montanans. Thank you for creating countless ‘raving fans’ through your efforts.
“Finally, I am most grateful to my sweet wife, Cindy, of 39 years. For the past 13 years, Cindy has selflessly dropped me off at the airport at 5 a.m. on most Mondays for the commute back to D.C. Together, we look forward to the next chapter: cherishing moments with seven grandchildren, spending more time in Montana, and continuing to make a difference.”
In his statement, Daines also endorsed Alme, of Billings, for the Senate seat.
“I’ve known Kurt Alme for years. He was appointed U.S. Attorney by President (Donald) Trump in his first term and then reappointed when President Trump was re-elected because he did such a good job cracking down on crime. Kurt launched Project Safe Neighborhoods, took on the meth crisis head-on, confronted cartels flooding our state with fentanyl, and did everything in his power to make Montana safe.”
Alme did not immediately return a call for comment on Wednesday night, but released a statement later in the evening.
“I am proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate to represent the great state of Montana,”Alme said. “As a native Montanan, I have always been committed to serving our communities, upholding the rule of law, and fighting for the safety and prosperity of every family in our state.”
In post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump thanked Daines for his service.
Trump also announced his endorsement of Alme, saying that if “didn’t have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is.”
He also said that Gov. Gianforte and Sen. Tim Sheehy were also endorsing Alme, but neither has released an official statement as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Montana Republican Party did not immediately have comment on the withdrawal.
Montana’s senior Senate seat has been considered safely Republican by analysts, but within hours of Daines’ announcement, at least one analyst moved the senate seat into a “lean Republican,” category, citing the “back room deal” nature of the shift to Alme.
In 2020, Daines won re-election over popular twoterm Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock by 10 points.
While there are many challengers in the race across parties, much attention has been paid to the independent bid by former University of Montana president Seth Bodnar, who announced Wednesday morning.
Bodnar’s campaign released the following statement: “Steve Daines has so little respect for Montana Republicans that he withdrew at the last minute to coronate his handpicked successor instead of giving them a voice at the ballot box. This is the disgusting arrogance of Washington politicians and their party bosses who trade power back and forth like candy while Montanans are crushed under higher costs and fewer opportunities. I’m running to be an independent voice for every single Montanan who is sick of this broken political system and who wants a leader who stands up for our state against the corruption of political elites like Steve Daines and Kurt Alme.”
In a statement, Democratic candidate Reilly Neill said Daines dropping out is an example of the Montana GOP “being in complete disarray.”
“The Montana GOP has done nothing but bend the knee to an administration that has hurt our farmers and ranchers and this is unacceptable,” Neill said. “Daines, throughout his tenure, has completely ignored and voted against the working class and protected the billionaire class. His stepping down opens this field for the United States Senate and this is a good development for Montana.”
Additional candidates contacted by the Daily Montanan did not have statements by publication.
