Montana Senator Daines to Retire
Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines announced he will not seek reelection in a surprise decision made just before the candidate filing deadline. His departure injects new uncertainty into the upcoming Senate races and could impact the balance of party control.
In his 2020 reelection, Steve Daines defeated then-Governor Steve Bullock by a 10-point margin. That contest was one of the most expensive Senate races of the cycle, with Democrats outspending Republicans by $19 million. Daines' departure comes at a time of increasing Republican strength in Montana, a state that once had a reputation for ticket-splitting. Following the 2024 elections, Republicans hold all statewide offices, and Senator Jon Tester was defeated by Republican Tim Sheehy. As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2023 to 2025, Daines played a key role in the GOP's successful effort to gain a majority in the Senate. The current Senate composition is 53 Republicans and 45 Democrats, with two independents who caucus with the Democrats. Just before the filing deadline, Daines endorsed U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme as his successor, and former President Donald Trump quickly followed with his own endorsement. This move positions Alme as a strong contender for the Republican nomination. The race for the open seat is already taking shape with former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar launching an independent campaign. Several Democrats have also filed to run, though none are widely known at the state level.
