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◆ Mixed look for AlmeElections / Campaigns

GOP Sen. Steve Daines of Montana says he won't seek re-election

Alme entered the race shortly before the filing deadline and received endorsements from Daines and Trump.

GOP Sen. Steve Daines of Montana says he won't seek re-election
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Outlet credibilityAOL.com68/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 12, 2026

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The same article also appears on NBC News. Which outlet published it first has not been determined.

AOL.com
Mar 4, 2026
tl;dr

Steve Daines announced he will not seek re-election, withdrawing shortly before Montana’s filing deadline and backing U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme to replace him. Alme has also received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, setting up a competitive contest for the open seat.

Community verdict

17 VOTES
How does this story look for
Kurt Alme R · MT

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 23

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SWIPE →
Kurt Alme
R · MT

Senate candidate endorsed by Steve Daines and Donald Trump

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Steve Daines
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator withdrawing from the re-election race and endorsing Kurt Alme

Daines's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Alme

Democratic Senate candidate

Montana governor whom Daines defeated in the 2020 Senate election

Democratic Senate candidate

Jon Tester
Former U.S. Senator (D-MT)

Former Montana senator whose re-election bid Trump defeated in 2024

Chuy García
D · IL-4

Illinois representative cited in an example of a late filing move

Independent Senate candidate criticizing Daines’s withdrawal and endorsement

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Steve Daines Withdraws From Montana Senate Reelection Race

Outlets agree Steve Daines withdrew from Montana’s Senate race shortly before the filing deadline, and Kurt Alme filed to run; Daines endorsed Alme. Left-leaning outlets present the timing as potentially coordinated to give Alme an advantage and keep a prominent Democrat out of the primary. Center outlets mostly recount the withdrawal, filing and endorsements, while some examine claims about limiting Democratic recruitment and the effect on the contest. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Alme’s entry and Daines’s endorsement, with coverage also noting Trump’s endorsement.

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