Ex-Montana GOP Rep. Denny Rehberg on Wednesday announced his bid to replace Matt Rosendale in Montana’s deep-red 2nd District.
Mr. Rehberg served as Montana’s lone congressman from 2001 to 2013 and retired from politics after unsuccessful Senate bids against Democrats Max Baucus and Jon Tester.
“Joe Biden is making America unrecognizable — and I want our country back,” Mr. Rehberg said. “I am a fifth-generation Montana rancher. I got into public service because I was moved by past generations of Montanans.”
He continued, “I want to return to public service because I am worried about future generations of Montanans. The number one question people ask me is: Why are you running for Congress again? It’s a simple one-word answer: Grandkids — I want to ensure there is a country left for our grandkids.”
Mr. Rehberg joins a crowded GOP primary for Montana’s Eastern District, which includes Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, state Auditor Troy Downing and state Sen. Kenneth Bogner.
But one candidate has yet to enter the race: Mr. Rosendale.
Mr. Rehberg’s announcement comes after Mr. Rosendale’s bid to oust Mr. Tester came to an abrupt end last week.
The arch-conservative dropped out of the Senate race less than a week after jumping in because former President Donald Trump endorsed aerospace millionaire and political newbie Tim Sheehy. Mr. Rosendale noted that the “hill was just too steep” to win the primary against Mr. Sheehy because of the endorsement and lack of campaign money.
Aashka Varma, spokeswoman for Mr. Rosendale’s campaign, told The Washington Times that the lawmaker would be “announcing a decision soon.”
She added, “This week he is working with several of his colleagues in the House and Senate to find solutions so we can fund the government in a responsible and transparent manner ahead of the funding deadline next week.”