Last week, Montana’s US Senator Steve Daines, Republican, surprised everyone in political circles with the announcement, just minutes before filing closed, that he was withdrawing from his re-election bid. Almost in the same moment, Republican US Attorney, Kurt Alme, filed as a candidate.
Sen. Daines’ withdrawal was a surprise because in serving his second term in a strong Republican state, he appeared to be a shoo-in for re-election, a position that discouraged challenges – Democrat or Republican. That Kurt Alme was prepared to immediately file, gave the appearance that Sen. Daines was essentially picking his successor, who would face little challenge.
The ploy has generated anger from both Democrats and Republicans, who believe the ploy has denied Montanans of an open election in which they could choose a candidate from a broader field of likely contenders.
Alme has already received endorsements from President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, and Gov. Greg Gianforte.
Born in Great Falls and having lived in Dillon, Victor and Helena, Alme has served as Montana’s United States Attorney from 2017 to 2020, and again from March 2025 until March 2026 after being nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
In announcing his candidacy Alme stated, ““I have had the honor of serving as President Donald Trump’s United States Attorney for the District of Montana during both of his Administrations. In that role, I led aggressive efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and violent crime. We targeted methamphetamine and opioid networks, dismantled dangerous organizations flooding our state with deadly fentanyl and other drugs, and helped secure federal resources to combat the addiction crisis that has taken far too many lives. It was an honor to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to protect our communities from violence and exploitation.”
“I also had the privilege of leading Governor Gianforte’s budget office during his first session where together with the Republican legislature, we enacted a fiscally responsible budget, left state coffers with very strong reserves, and cut taxes by $60 million per year.”
There are four Montana Democrats currently registered to appear on the primary ballot — Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead; Michael Black Wolf, a Fort Belknap Indian Community leader; U.S. Navy veteran Micheal Hummert and Reilly Neill, a former state legislator from Livingston.
Alme will also be challenged by Independent candidate Seth Bodnar, who resigned his position as University of Montana President. He has received the endorsement of former Montana US Senator Jon Tester, Democrat, who lost to Republican challenger Tim Sheehy.
Seth Bodnar served as … Read full story here.
