Matt Rosendale Ends Senate Run After Trump Endorses Opponent

Matt Rosendale speaks at a news conference outside the Capitol, on July 25, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) said on Thursday that he was withdrawing his bid for the U.S. Senate, citing former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his main opponent and a lack of resources as reasons behind the move.

It comes a week after Mr. Rosendale announced his candidacy on Feb. 10, the same day when President Trump said he would be endorsing former Navy SEAL and businessman Tim Sheehy for the Senate.

“As everyone knows, I have planned to run for the U.S. Senate and to win both the primary and the general election,” the congressman said in a statement.

“I have long been a supporter of the president, and remain so. But I have been forced to calculate what my chances of success would be with Trump supporting my opponent,” he added.

Mr. Rosendale said he had spoken to Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and they both agreed “that this is the best path forward for Republicans to regain the majority in the U.S. Senate.”

“This race was already going to be tough, as I was fighting against [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell and the rest of the Republican establishment in Washington,” the Montana Republican said.

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“But I felt like I could beat them, as the voters do not agree with them choosing who would be the next U.S. senator from Montana. However, by my calculations, with Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep,” he added.

Mr. Rosendale said that he will “prayerfully consider what is next” but did not mention whether he will run for reelection to the House.

Montana Republican and Senate candidate Tim Sheehy greets veterans during a campaign rally in Three Forks, Mont., on Nov. 9, 2023. (Tim Sheehy for US Senate)

Meanwhile, Mr. Sheehy has acknowledged the move and praised Mr. Rosendale for his effort.

“Matt, Montana is grateful for your service and for showing Washington D.C., what it means to hold the line on reckless spending. I know working together we’ll win this race and defeat Jon Tester,” he stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Mr. Rosendale has previously criticized Mr. Sheehy for donating to former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s political action committee in March 2021, almost two years before she launched her campaign for president.

‘Best-Positioned’ to Defeat Jon Tester

President Trump said that while he has “respect” for Mr. Rosendale, he believes that Mr. Sheehy is “currently best-positioned” to regain the Republican majority in the Senate.

“Tim Sheehy is an American Hero and highly successful Businessman from the Great State of Montana,” the former president stated on Truth Social on Feb. 10.

“I also respect Matt Rosendale, and was very happy to endorse him in the past, and will endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his congressional seat.

“But in this instance, Tim is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate,” he added.

President Trump also offered his “complete and total endorsement” to Mr. Sheehy.

“Tim is a Political Outsider, Strong on the Border, the Military/Vets, and our constantly under siege Second Amendment. He will stand tall in the fight against the Radical Left Democrats, who are Destroying our Country,” he stated.

Mr. Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL who now owns an aerial firefighting company with extensive government contracts, is a political newcomer backed by Mr. McConnell and Mr. Daines.

Republicans in Washington had worked to keep Mr. Rosendale on the sidelines, with leading members of the party supporting Mr. Sheehy as the party’s best chance to topple three-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.

Jackson Richman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.