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▼ Bad look for DainesElections / Campaigns

Double Stunning Election News Out of Montana

Daines withdrew from reelection just before Montana’s filing deadline as Kurt Alme entered the Senate race.

Double Stunning Election News Out of Montana
Image · TPM – Talking Points Memo

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Outlet credibilityTPM – Talking Points Memo74/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
tl;dr

Montana Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from his reelection race just before the filing deadline, while Kurt Alme filed to run minutes earlier. The article suggests the timing may have been intended to give Alme an advantage and keep a prominent Democrat out of the primary.

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Steve Daines R · MT · SEN

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Steve Daines
R · MT · SEN

Montana senator who withdrew from his reelection race

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Kurt Alme
R · MT

Montana Senate candidate who filed just before Daines withdrew

Alme's version of this story ↗
Jon Tester
Former U.S. Senator (D-MT)

Former Montana senator who earlier expressed support for Bodnar’s independent bid

Chuy García
D · IL-4

Illinois representative whose prior retirement announcement is used as a comparison

Independent Senate candidate in Montana

Illinois House candidate described as Chuy García’s chosen successor

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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