
Daines exits Montana Senate race at the filing deadline, reshaping GOP field
Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from Montana’s 2026 U.S. Senate race just minutes before the filing deadline, leaving U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme as his handpicked successor and reshuffling a GOP field that also saw Rep. Ryan Zinke exit earlier. Daines had filed for reelection weeks earlier with about $4.9 million in the bank; Alme quickly announced his candidacy with endorsements from Daines, Trump and other GOP figures. Independent Seth Bodnar is also in the race and must gather signatures to qualify, creating a potentially unsettled contest that could affect Democrats’ prospects.

