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

Daines withdrew from Montana’s Senate race shortly before the filing deadline and backed Kurt Alme to replace him.

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

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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

22 VOTES
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Steve Daines R · MT · SEN

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SWIPE →
Steve Daines
R · MT · SEN

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

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Kurt Alme
R · MT

Senate candidate endorsed by Steve Daines and Donald Trump

Alme'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

23 OUTLETS
Steve Daines Withdraws From Montana Senate Re-Election Race

Daines withdrew from his reelection bid shortly before Montana’s filing deadline. Kurt Alme entered the race around the deadline, and Daines endorsed him as his preferred successor. Left-leaning outlets focus on whether Daines’s timing and endorsement narrowed the primary or kept potential recruits out. Center outlets mainly recount the exit, Alme’s entry and endorsements, while also reporting claims about the effect on competition. Right-leaning outlets generally pair Daines’s departure with his support for Alme, though their coverage also includes criticism of the timing.

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