Rep. Matthew Martin Rosendale Sr. (R-2nd District) announced Friday, that He had filed for Senate in Montana, setting up a contentious Primary against National Republicans’ preferred Pick, to take on Sen. Jon Tester (D).
Rosendale, a Member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus who Lost to Tester in 2018, will be up against retired Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, who announced His Campaign in June, 2023, and already has the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), led by Montana’s Junior Senator, Steve Daines.
Rosendale’s Candidacy also goes against the wishes of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who is supporting Sheehy in a Race seen as critical to Republicans’ efforts to flip the Senate.
“We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate,” Rosendale said on Social Media Friday, as He Officially announced His run. Hours later, Trump dealt a blow to Rosendale’s nascent Campaign by endorsing Sheehy, whom He praised as “an American Hero and highly successful Businessman.”
“I also respect Matt Rosendale, and was very happy to Endorse him in the past - and will Endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his Congressional Seat,” Trump wrote on Social Media. “But in this instance, Tim is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and Regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate.”
Rosendale downplayed Not receiving Trump's Endorsement, telling CNN’s Abby Phillip Friday Night, that Trump “did an incredible job when he was president, and he’s going to do an incredible job next year when he takes the oval office. And I plan to be in the United States Senate next year to help him get that agenda through.”
“I will go ahead and win this primary election. I’m endorsed by people across the state that know me the best,” he said on “NewsNight.”
The Montana Contest will be a Test for National GOP Leaders, who are taking a more Active Role in Primaries this Cycle than in the past, when flawed Nominees have sometimes cost them Seats.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA, 4th District), reversed course and will Not endorse Matt Rosendale for Senate, after blowback by Daines on Friday, hit Rosendale for jumping into the Primary, fueling concerns about the Party’s ability to Flip the Seat in November. “It’s unfortunate that rather than building seniority for our great state in the House, Matt is choosing to abandon his seat and create a divisive primary,” Daines said in a Statement, while reiterating His Support for Sheehy.
“Whichever party wins the Montana Senate seat will control the United States Senate in 2024, and Republicans cannot risk nominating a candidate who gave Jon Tester the biggest victory of his career,” He continued.
First Elected to the U.S. House in 2020, Rosendale has been a thorn in the side of GOP Leadership. He was One of the Eight House Republicans in October who Voted to Oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. He also initially Opposed McCarthy’s Speakership bid in January 2023, before ultimately Voting “Present” to allow McCarthy to Clinch the Gavel on the 15th Ballot.
Rosendale previously served in the Montana Legislature and as State Auditor. He moved to Montana in 2002, and the former Land Developer’s Maryland roots were a frequent target of Democratic Attacks in his 2018 Senate Race against Tester, which the Incumbent Won by less than 4 points.
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