Sen. Steve Daines, Montana Republican, dropped his reelection bid Wednesday with virtually no time to spare before the state’s filing deadline, but just enough for his hand-picked successor to enter the race.
President Trump quickly endorsed Kurt Alme, the U.S. attorney for the District of Montana, in a social media post praising Mr. Daines as “one of our truly Great United States Senators.”
“He did a job like few others are capable of doing but, sadly for our Country, Steve’s Term is up, and he has decided to leave the Senate and, ‘pass the torch’ to Kurt Alme, my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Attorney,” he said.
“In fact, if Kurt didn’t have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is but, Kurt is exceptional, and I will be giving him, based on Steve’s strongest recommendation, my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Mr. Trump added.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and the state’s junior senator Tim Sheehy also endorsed Mr. Alme.
Mr. Daines’ late withdrawal did not give any other potential GOP contenders who did want to challenge an incumbent but may have considered a bid for an open seat a chance to run.
With the Republican Party backing him, Mr. Alme will be favored to succeed Mr. Daines in conservative Montana.
Democrats are not mounting a serious challenger this year. Mr. Sheehy ousted the last Democrat to hold statewide office, former Sen. Jon Tester, in the 2024 election.
The GOP switch-a-roo came shortly after former University of Montana president and Green Beret Seth Bodnar launched an independent campaign for the Senate seat.
“This country is in crisis, and our national political parties are failing us,” he said in a video announcing his campaign. “Montanans are an independent people and they deserve an independent voice fighting for them in Washington, D.C.”
Mr. Daines, 63, is retiring after two terms in the Senate and one in the House. He led Senate Republicans’ campaign arm in 2024, when the party retook control of the upper chamber and helped solidify a GOP trifecta across Congress and the White House.
The senator announced his decision to not to seek reelection in a video announcement posted after Montana’s filing deadline closed.
He did not provide a reason but said he gave it “much careful thought.”
“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 found in public service,” he said. “I’m energized, I’m encouraged and ready for whatever comes next.”
