Daines Steps Aside to Back Kurt Alme in Montana Senate Race

Sen. Steve Daines abruptly withdrew from re-election at the filing deadline to clear the field for Kurt Alme, his endorsed candidate for Montana’s open Senate seat. Alme, a former U.S. attorney, has the backing of Trump, Gov. Gianforte and Sen. Tim Sheehy, while Democrats decry the move as a backroom power play; independent Seth Bodnar entered the race as the top non-Republican contender. Despite uncertainty about the field, Montana remains solidly Republican, and Daines said the goal was to minimize election costs, though he did not rule out future runs.