Steve Daines won’t seek re-election to Montana Senate seat

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., will not seek reelection and has opted to leave the Senate just minutes before the filing deadline Wednesday in the Treasury State, three sources confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Montana’s senior senator is serving his second term and was expected to finish third in Big Sky Country, which President Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points in 2024. He previously served two terms in the House of Representatives before moving to the upper house.

Daines played a key role this election cycle as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, helping Republicans regain the majority in the upper chamber. He also helped the GOP maintain unified control over Washington by supporting Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., in a tight race against former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana.

“After very careful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election,” the lawmaker said in his video statement.

He thanked his wife, Cindy, and said that for the past 13 years, “she has selflessly dropped me off at the airport at 5 a.m. most Mondays for my trip back to State.”

“And together, Cindy and I look forward to the next chapter—living the good times with my seven grandchildren, spending some more time in Montana, and continuing to make a difference.”

Republicans will now try to hold on to the seat as Daines prepares to leave the Senate. Primary elections in Montana are scheduled for June 2.

RUMORS OF EARLY RETIREMENT OF REPUBLICAN MLAS SEND SHOCK WAVES IN THE PARLIAMENT

President Donald Trump takes questions from the media during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the White House Oval Office on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed the lawsuit minutes before Daines dropped out of the race, according to the Montana secretary of state. Earlier Wednesday, former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar entered the race as an independent.

Trump wasted no time in praising Daines and immediately endorsed Alme. Real Social.

“Steve Daines of Montana is truly one of our Great United States Senators,” Trump said. “He honorably served 12 years in the Senate and 2 years in the House of Representatives. He did a job that few can do, but unfortunately for our Country, Steve’s term is up and he has decided to leave the Senate and pass the torch to my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.”

EPIC OPERATION FURY SURVIVES Senate CHALLENGES AS REPUBLICANS CLOSE THE LINE BEHIND TRUMP

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., arrives with House Republicans at the caucus meeting on Capitol Hill on May 10, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Three Democrats are also running on opposite sides of the primary field: Alani Bankhead, Reilly Neill and Michael Blackwolf.

“Republicans’ midterm prospects in 2026 are so bleak that we have yet another senator running for the hills,” a spokesperson for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of Senate Democrats, told Fox News Digital.

“Steve Daines is joining more and more of his colleagues in deciding to throw in the towel rather than defend their toxic record,” he said. “This news is the latest warning sign flashing for all GOP senators: Your jobs are not secure, retire or lose.”

Daines’ departure comes after Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., announced he plans to retire from the House.

Zinke talked about multiple undisclosed surgeries resulting from injuries he suffered as a Navy SEAL.

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“My judgment and experience tell me that it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than to risk uncertain absenteeism and missed votes,” Zinke said. he said.

Their open primary has already attracted the attention of several Montana Republicans, including Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and conservative radio host Aaron Flint, who quickly won the endorsement of Zinke and Trump.

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