Republicans Face Worst Nightmare in Montana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 28, 2023
CONTACT
monica@mtdems.org
Montana GOP hurtles towards a “brutal,” contentious primary in the U.S. Senate race
Helena, MT – Republicans are facing their worst nightmare in Montana, where they appear to be hurtling towards a “brutal,” contentious primary in the U.S. Senate race. Read the latest on the brewing GOP primary showdown that is throwing off the NRSC’s “carefully constructed plans” in Montana:
Washington Examiner: Republicans suddenly face messy primaries ahead of 2024 bid to retake Senate
By Samantha-Jo Roth
August 27, 2023
Earlier this year, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, under the new leadership of Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), made it clear that the committee is more willing to take sides in Republican primaries, a departure from its policy in the 2022 cycle.
But, their carefully constructed plans could be thrown off in several critical states. Rosendale, one of the most conservative House members, is still mulling a second run for Senate against Tester after failing to unseat the Montana Democrat in 2018.
Billings Gazette: 37 GOP state legislators, including leadership, call on Rosendale for Senate
By Holly Michels
August 18, 2023
The cohort of state lawmakers backing Rosendale includes the top Republicans in the state House and Senate and represents nearly 40% of the Legislature’s GOP caucus, many from the party's right wing. Signers include Speaker of the House Matt Regier and Senate President Jason Ellsworth.
Daily Inter Lake: Flathead lawmakers lead effort to draft Rosendale for Senate race
By Kate Heston
August 24, 2023
When given the choice between Sheehy and Rosendale, Rep. Tanner Smith said he will choose Rosendale. According to Smith, Sheehy belongs with Daines and Gianforte — people who “don’t always have Montana’s best interest in mind.”
Montana Free Press: Hardline GOP legislators push Trump for Rosendale endorsement
By Arren Kimbel-Sannit
August 18, 2023
On Monday, state Rep. Steven Galloway, R-Great Falls, sought a definitive answer to that question, asking Trump explicitly to endorse current Congressman Matt Rosendale — a Republican hardliner whose entry into the Senate race, while not yet official, seems all but guaranteed — over Bozeman businessman Tim Sheehy[.]
During the call, Galloway called Rosendale a “stalwart” of the House Freedom Caucus and a conservative with a “100% constitutional voting record.” Galloway then took some shots at Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL who has the backing of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Montana Sen. Steve Daines and other key Republicans, deriding him as a millionaire with no political experience and lacking Rosendale’s grassroots support.
“The RINO establishment is supporting Sheehy,” Galloway continued.
Liberty Nation News: McConnell’s Primary Man in Montana Has Little Grassroots Support
By Joe Schaeffer
August 8, 2023
A test of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) infamous vow “to control the primary outcome” in 2024 against outsider anti-establishment candidates in the Donald Trump mold is shaping up in Montana, home state of National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines (R-MT).
But Sheehy may face a bumpier road than the GOP senatorial poohbahs imagined. Numerous questions surround his lack of familiarity with on-the-ground state Republican activists, his business career, and his dubious bona fides as a Trump-flavored America Firster.
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