Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is retiring and withdrawing his reelection bid. He anointed the state’s U.S. Attorney to take his place in the election.
Daines, who was heavily favored to retain his seat, said in a statement Wednesday he’s been wrestling with the decision for months, but that it’s time for a new generation of leaders to take the reins.
“Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career,” Daines said.
Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate just as Daines dropped out, minutes before the candidate filing period closed. Daines immediately endorsed Alme.
President Donald Trump appointed Alme the state’s chief federal law enforcement officer twice. Alme also briefly worked as Gov. Greg Gianforte’s budget director.
Trump endorsed Alme on social media shortly after he launched his campaign.
In his announcement, Daines highlighted working with Trump on cutting income taxes, confirming Conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, and winning a majority in the U.S. Senate. Daines led GOP efforts across the country to elect Republicans to the Senate as chair of a national campaign committee in 2024. That included ousting longtime Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.
The abrupt news comes amid a whirlwind week in Montana politics. Rep. Ryan Zinke unexpectedly announced his own retirement, and former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar made waves by entering the U.S. Senate race as an independent.
Montana’s primary is June 2.
