Rep. Matt Rosendale, a Republican from Montana, has announced the suspension of his bid for the Montana Senate. In an interview with Fox News, Rosendale cited former President Donald Trump as a factor that influenced his decision. Just six days prior, Rosendale had declared his candidacy in an effort to unseat Democrat Sen. Jon Tester. However, his entry into the race stirred up the state’s Republican primary, where he would have been challenging former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy for the nomination.
Rosendale, known for his conservative views, acknowledged that Trump’s endorsement of his opponent and the lack of resources made his path to victory difficult. He stated, “[W]ith Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep.” Rosendale also mentioned that he had spoken with Sen. Steve Daines, another Republican from Montana, and they both agreed that this was the best course of action for Republicans to regain the majority in the U.S. Senate.
Although Rosendale did not receive Trump’s endorsement, he expressed his continued support for the former president. However, without Trump’s backing, Rosendale had to reassess his chances of winning the election. He acknowledged that the race was already challenging, given his fight against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and the Republican establishment in Washington. Nevertheless, Rosendale believed that he could overcome these obstacles as he believed that the voters did not agree with the establishment choosing Montana’s next senator.
In light of his decision to suspend his campaign, Rosendale stated that he would be spending time with his family in Montana over the next few days to contemplate his next steps. Meanwhile, Sheehy, his opponent, took to social media to express gratitude for Rosendale’s service and to pledge his commitment to winning the race against Jon Tester.
In conclusion, Rep. Matt Rosendale’s decision to suspend his bid for the Montana Senate comes just days after he announced his candidacy. With former President Donald Trump endorsing his opponent and limited resources at his disposal, Rosendale determined that the odds of victory were not in his favor. Despite this setback, he remains a staunch supporter of Trump and plans to spend time with his family before deciding on future endeavors. As the primary race continues, Tim Sheehy expresses confidence in his ability to defeat Jon Tester and emerge as the Republican nominee for the Senate seat.
