BREAKING: Republican Senator Announces Retirement — Will Not Seek Reelection

Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana just joined the list of senators who will not seek reelection this year.

Sen. Daines has served in the Senate since 2014.

Today, he withdrew his name from Montana’s Senate candidate filing.

Here are the details:

🚨 BREAKING: Republican US Senator Steve Daines RETIRES FROM CONGRESS, will not seek reelection in Montana in 2026

Democrats will undoubtedly try gunning for the open seat.

Daines immediately endorsed TRUMP appointee Kurt Alme for US Senate, current U.S. attorney for Montana 👀… pic.twitter.com/aDTZrGQhCt

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 5, 2026

BREAKING: Republican US Senator Steve Daines RETIRES FROM CONGRESS, will not seek reelection in Montana in 2026

Democrats will undoubtedly try gunning for the open seat.

Daines immediately endorsed TRUMP appointee Kurt Alme for US Senate, current U.S. attorney for Montana 👀

Wow. Primary is in June.

Notably, today was the last day to file to run for the Senate in Montana.

Sen. Daines waiting until the last minute to pull out of the race is a smart move because it means that Democrats were not given any time to find a solid candidate to run.

Hopefully, they will not be able to flip the seat.

In a video message on social media, Sen. Daines announced that he is retiring.

Watch it here:

An announcement👇 pic.twitter.com/7HCofBTUMA

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) March 5, 2026

Sen. Daines is now the sixth Republican senator who will not be running in the midterms.

Kurt Almen — who is President Trump’s current U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana — will be running for his Senate seat as a Republican.

Politico reported:

Daines’ impending announcement will make him the sixth Republican senator to choose not to seek reelection in this fall’s midterm elections, joining a list that includes North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced his decision last year, and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor instead of seeking a second term. Sens. Joni Ernst, Cynthia Lummis, and Mitch McConnell, a former Senate majority leader, also announced they won’t seek reelection this cycle.

Daines, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014 and defeated then-incumbent Montana Gov. Steve Bullock in his 2020 reelection race, chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2023 to 2025.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Kurt Alme filed to run for Daines’ Senate seat as a Republican after Daines withdrew from the race and just minutes before the deadline closed on Tuesday evening. Alme, who was appointed in March 2025, also served as Montana’s U.S. attorney under the first Trump administration from 2017 to 2020.

President Trump responded to Sen. Daines’ retirement announcement by endorsing Kurt Alme.

Read his full statement on Truth Social here:

Steve Daines, of Montana, is one of our truly Great United States Senators. He honorably served for 12 years in the Senate, and 2 in the House of Representatives. He did a job like few others are capable of doing but, sadly for our Country, Steve’s Term is up, and he has decided to leave the Senate and, “pass the torch” to Kurt Alme, my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Attorney. In fact, if Kurt didn’t have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is but, Kurt is exceptional, and I will be giving him, based on Steve’s strongest recommendation, my Complete and Total Endorsement. Governor Greg Gianforte and Senator Tim Sheehy have also Endorsed Kurt.

A Highly Respected Criminal Prosecutor in my Administration, and distinguished Harvard Law School Graduate, Kurt knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to ensure LAW AND ORDER, advocate for our Heroes in Law Enforcement, and strongly support our Military and Veterans. As your next Senator, Kurt will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion our Farmers and Ranchers, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.

Kurt Alme is an exceptional person, and will do a fantastic job as your next United States Senator from the Great State of Montana — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!

How do you feel about it?