GOP Sen. Steve Daines Drops Reelection Bid At Last Possible Minute

Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines ended his November reelection bid Wednesday — the state’s last possible day of candidate filing.

Daines, first elected to the upper chamber in 2014, was seeking a third term until 5 p.m. MST, when Montana’s filing deadline passed and his campaign status with the state Secretary of State’s website suddenly changed to “withdrawn,” NBC Montana reported. Before Daines’ stunning decision to drop out, Montana’s 2026 Senate election was considered uncompetitive and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated it as “Safe Republican.”

Prior to his withdrawal, Daines had the backing of President Donald Trump.

“After much careful thought, I have decided not to seek reelection,” Daines, 63, said in a video posted to X late Wednesday, adding he is “energized,” “encouraged,” and “ready for whatever comes next.”

“I’m also very thankful to have served alongside President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate. Together we’ve built a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, we spearheaded Republican control of the U.S. Senate, we delivered the largest tax cut in U.S. history, we unleashed American energy dominance and secured our southern border,” Daines continued in the video.

The lawmaker notably chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC