Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana announced that he will not seek reelection in November’s midterm elections, marking the end of more than a decade in federal office and setting off a swift reshuffling within the state’s Republican ranks.
“After much careful thought, I have decided not to seek reelection,” Daines said in a video posted publicly. The 63-year-old lawmaker added that he was “thankful to have served alongside President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate.”
Daines first entered Congress in 2013, representing Montana in its then at-large House seat. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and began serving in the upper chamber in 2015. In his farewell announcement, Daines pointed to key conservative victories during his tenure in Washington, including helping secure “a conservative majority on the Supreme Court” and supporting what he described as “the largest tax cut in history.”
Withdrawal Filed Minutes Before Deadline
According to reporting by KTVH-DT, Daines officially withdrew his candidacy at the Montana Secretary of State’s office just three minutes before the 5 p.m. local filing deadline. The timing coincided with a significant development in the Republican primary field: five minutes before Daines’ withdrawal, Kurt Alme filed paperwork to enter the GOP primary race.
Shortly after stepping aside, Daines endorsed Alme, who currently serves as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana. The U.S. Senate confirmed Alme to that post in 2025.
In a statement published by KTVH, Daines backed Alme as the candidate best positioned to continue advancing conservative priorities in the state.
President Donald Trump followed with a public endorsement of Alme on Truth Social, praising the newcomer’s credentials and citing Daines’ recommendation.
“If Kurt didn’t have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is but, Kurt is exceptional, and I will be giving him, based on Steve’s strongest recommendation, my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote.
The Montana described Alme as a “behind-the-scenes administrator for Republicans dating back to Gov. Marc Racicot,” underscoring his longstanding involvement in state GOP politics.
Praise From Montana Republicans
Daines’ decision drew immediate reaction from fellow Montana Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy, who called him “a giant in Montana politics.”
“Steve is doing something we don’t often see in modern politics: stepping down at the height of his power to clear the way for a new generation of leaders,” Sheehy said in a post.
Daines becomes the second Montana Republican this week to end a reelection bid. Rep. Ryan Zinke announced on March 2 that he would not seek reelection and endorsed conservative talk show host Aaron Flint after dropping out.
Primary Set For June 2
The Montana primary elections are scheduled for June 2, setting up what is expected to be a closely watched Republican contest in a state that has trended increasingly conservative in recent years.
Daines’ exit not only reshapes the GOP primary field but also marks the conclusion of a political career that began in the House and extended through a decade in the Senate, where he played a role in advancing key conservative legislative and judicial priorities.
With high-profile endorsements from both Daines and Trump, Alme now enters the race with significant institutional backing as Montana Republicans prepare for the upcoming primary.