Article Summary –
Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale recently dropped out of the U.S. Senate race, citing former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his opponent, Tim Sheehy, as a decisive factor. Rosendale’s early fundraising numbers were also far lower than Sheehy’s, and the Club for Growth, formerly a significant financial supporter of Rosendale, indicated it would not fund his campaign. It is uncertain what Rosendale’s next steps will be; he could potentially run for re-election in his district, but other Republicans have already filed to replace him.
Montana Congressman’s Abrupt Exit from Senate Race
Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale, a staunch conservative, recently ended his U.S. Senate bid. Rosendale had aimed to challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and the Washington political establishment. He officially announced his candidacy on Feb. 9 to bring change.
Six days later, Rosendale dropped out of the race, due to Donald Trump’s endorsement of his opponent, Tim Sheehy. Rosendale’s campaign funding was also reportedly lagging behind Sheehy’s, a factor that played into his decision to withdraw.
Trump’s endorsement of Sheehy wasn’t a total surprise, given Sheehy’s early support for Trump and his role as a surrogate for the former president at the Iowa caucuses. Some hoped Trump would remain neutral while others, like state Rep. Ed Butcher, suspected McConnell’s influence on Trump to support Sheehy.
Rosendale’s sudden withdrawal has led to speculation about his next move. He can still run for re-election in his current district until March 11, but his sudden exit from the senate race has opened opportunities for other Republicans.
As of Wednesday, when former Congressman Denny Rehberg entered the House race, Rosendale’s campaign said the incumbent has yet to decide his future. As of Friday, Rosendale’s congressional fundraising account on WinRed was suspended.
The impact of Rosendale’s withdrawal on the conservative movement, and how the movement will react to Sheehy and his backers in the state, remains uncertain. State Sen. John Fuller, a member of the Freedom Caucus, says the GOP has internal divisions but is confident in defeating Jon Tester in the upcoming elections.
Trump’s endorsement of Sheehy has caused tension among party members. Some party members expressed their disapproval when Mike Berg, the communications director for the NRSC, suggested that Rosendale was a “plant from the Democrats”. This claim was rebuked by the Flathead County Republican Central Committee but it didn’t result in an apology from Berg.
State Sen. Jeremy Trebas, one of 37 state lawmakers who issued a letter encouraging Rosendale to run for Senate, believes that the top GOP figures backing Sheehy may face a “base problem”. He notes that GOP members want not just a majority but a conservative majority.
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