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Sitting senator quits race as Trump endorses replacement in Montana shocker

Daines ended his Senate candidacy and backed Alme on the day filing closed.

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Outlet credibilityRaw Story57/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026

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Mar 5, 2026
tl;dr

Montana Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from the 2026 Senate race and endorsed Kurt Alme, who filed on the day filing closed. The move reshapes the Republican race, while President Donald Trump and other Montana Republicans also endorsed Alme.

Community verdict

22 VOTES
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Steve Daines R · MT · SEN

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Steve Daines
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator who withdrew from the race and endorsed Alme

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Alme

Trump's version of this story ↗
Kurt Alme
R · MT

Republican candidate for Montana’s 2026 U.S. Senate seat

Alme's version of this story ↗
Tim Sheehy
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator who endorsed Alme

Republican candidate for Montana’s Senate seat

Greg Gianforte
Former U.S. Representative (R-MT)

Montana governor who endorsed Alme

Independent candidate for Montana’s Senate seat

ALSO MENTIONED  Charles Lovell, U.S. district judge whom Alme clerked for; Judy Martz, Former Montana governor mentioned in Alme’s career history

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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