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Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is not going to search re-election, opting to depart the Senate simply minutes earlier than Wednesday’s submitting deadline within the Treasure State, three sources confirmed to Fox Information Digital.
Montana’s senior senator is serving his second time period and was broadly anticipated to safe a 3rd in Huge Sky Nation, the place President Donald Trump gained by almost 20 factors in 2024. He beforehand served two phrases within the Home earlier than making the leap to the higher chamber.
Daines performed a key function throughout that election cycle as chair of the Nationwide Republican Senatorial Committee, serving to Republicans regain a majority within the higher chamber. He additionally backed Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., in a grueling race in opposition to former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, serving to the GOP safe unified management of Washington.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., plans to retire on the finish of his time period, opening up his seat in Huge Sky Nation as Republicans look to maintain their grip on the higher chamber. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Pictures)
The lawmaker stated in a video assertion that after “a lot cautious thought, I’ve determined to not search re-election.”
He thanked his spouse, Cindy, and famous that, for the final 13 years, she “has selflessly dropped me off on the airport at 5 a.m. on most Mondays for that commute again to D.C.
“And, collectively, Cindy and I sit up for the subsequent chapter, like cherishing moments with seven grandchildren, spending a bit extra time in Montana and persevering with to make a distinction.”
With Daines set to depart the Senate, Republicans will now look to carry the seat. Montana’s main election is scheduled for June 2.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS’ EARLY RETIREMENT RUMORS SEND SHOCK WAVES THROUGH HOUSE GOP
President Donald Trump takes questions from the media throughout a gathering with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz within the Oval Workplace of the White Home Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Pictures)
Montana U.S. Lawyer Kurt Alme filed simply minutes earlier than Daines withdrew from the race, in line with the Montana secretary of state. Earlier Wednesday, former College of Montana President Seth Bodnar entered the race as an impartial.
Trump wasted no time lauding Daines and swiftly backing Alme in a put up on Reality Social.
“Steve Daines, of Montana, is considered one of our actually Nice United States Senators,” Trump stated. “He honorably served for 12 years within the Senate, and a couple of within the Home of Representatives. He did a job like few others are able to doing however, sadly for our Nation, Steve’s Time period is up, and he has determined to depart the Senate and, ‘go the torch’ to Kurt Alme, my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Lawyer.”
OPERATION EPIC FURY SURVIVES SENATE CHALLENGE AS REPUBLICANS CLOSE RANKS BEHIND TRUMP
Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., arrives to a caucus assembly with Home Republicans on Capitol Hill Might 10, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Pictures)
Three Democrats are additionally working on the alternative facet of the first subject: Alani Bankhead, Reilly Neill and Michael Blackwolf.
A spokesperson for the Senate Democrats’ marketing campaign arm, the Democratic Senatorial Marketing campaign Committee, advised Fox Information Digital in an announcement that “Republicans’ midterm prospects are so bleak in 2026 that yet one more senator is working for the hills.”
“Steve Daines is becoming a member of increasingly of his colleagues in deciding to throw within the towel relatively than defend their poisonous document,” it stated. “This information is the newest flashing warning signal to all GOP senators: Your jobs will not be protected, retire or lose.”
Daines’ departure comes after Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., introduced he plans to retire from the Home.
Zinke cited a number of undisclosed surgical procedures stemming from accidents he suffered as a Navy SEAL.
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“My judgment and expertise inform me it’s higher for Montana and America to have full-time illustration in Congress than run the danger of unsure absence and missed votes,” Zinke stated.
His open main has already attracted a number of Montana Republicans, together with Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and conservative radio host Aaron Flint, who swiftly earned the endorsements of Zinke and Trump.
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