Sitting senator quits race as Trump endorses replacement in Montana shocker
With endorsements already stacked high, Republican and former U.S. Attorney for Montana Kurt Alme filed for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 election on Wednesday, the day filing closed.
In move that surprised even some political insiders, presumed Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew his candidacy late Wednesday and endorsed Alme.
In his announcement, Alme noted he also received endorsements from President Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy, and Gov. Greg Gianforte.
Alme previously served as Montana’s United States Attorney, a position he held from 2017 to 2020 and from March of 2025 until March of 2026 after being nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate twice, said his announcement, which described his status as “former U.S. Attorney.”
Alme, who was born in Great Falls and grew up in Dillon, Victor and Helena, released the following statement Wednesday evening:
“I am proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate to represent the great state of Montana. As a native Montanan, I have always been committed to serving our communities, upholding the rule of law, and fighting for the safety and prosperity of every family in our state.
“I have had the honor of serving as President Donald Trump’s United States Attorney for the District of Montana during both of his Administrations. In that role, I led aggressive efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and violent crime. We targeted methamphetamine and opioid networks, dismantled dangerous organizations flooding our state with deadly fentanyl and other drugs, and helped secure federal resources to combat the addiction crisis that has taken far too many lives. It was an honor to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to protect our communities from violence and exploitation.
“I also had the privilege of leading Governor Gianforte’s budget office during his first session where together with the Republican legislature, we enacted a fiscally responsible budget, left state coffers with very strong reserves, and cut taxes by $60 million per year.
“These experiences reinforced what I have always believed: strong leadership and tough law enforcement are essential to keeping our streets safe, our borders secure, and our families protected. We have made real progress under President Trump’s policies — prioritizing public safety, supporting law enforcement, and delivering results for Montanans. We need proven doers in Washington who will stand up for our values without apology. I’m running for Senate to be a relentless advocate for Montana and to help President Trump put America First.”
Wednesday, high profile former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar also announced his candidacy as an independent.
Other Republicans who filed for the Senate seat are Charles Walking Child and Lee Calhoun. Five Democrats filed to run as did two Libertarians.
Montana’s 2026 Senate race has been considered safely Republican by analysts, but within hours of Daines’ announcement, at least one analyst moved the senate seat into a “lean Republican,” category.
Alme’s announcement shared endorsement statements from Trump, Daines, Sheehy and Gianforte.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said the following:
“Kurt is exceptional, and I will be giving him…my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
Daines said he has known Alme for years and said Trump chose him twice because Alme showed he was good at “cracking down on crime.”
“Kurt launched Project Safe Neighborhoods, took on the meth crisis head-on, confronted cartels flooding our state with fentanyl, and did everything in his power to make Montana safe,” Daines said in a statement. “Kurt was born in Great Falls, attended high school in Miles City, and graduated with honors from Harvard Law School. He is also a man of faith. Montanans will be proud to have Kurt Alme as their next U.S. Senator.”
Sheehy too said he was proud to endorse Alme.
“Kurt has done an incredible job cracking down on drugs and crime in our state as President Trump’s U.S. Attorney. Kurt will be a great Senator for Montana and always put America First,” Sheehy said in a statement.
Gianforte praised Alme’s “passion for service.”
“Kurt was an excellent U.S. Attorney with a tough on crime track record. When Kurt served as Budget Director in my administration, he was known as a workhorse, and I know he is going to be the same for Montanans when he is serving them in the U.S. Senate. Kurt has my full support,” Gianforte said in a statement.
Alme also shared the following information about his career and life:
Kurt Alme has spent his career serving Montana—as a prosecutor, a public official and a leader in the nonprofit community. With more than three decades of legal and leadership experience, Alme has shown a proven commitment to serving Montana and making our communities stronger.
Earlier in his career, Alme served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Montana from 2003 to 2010, prosecuting complex financial crimes including fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and government program fraud. He was later appointed First Assistant U.S. Attorney, helping lead the office and oversee federal prosecutions across the state.
Alme has also served as director of the Montana Department of Revenue under Gov. Judy Martz.
Outside of public service, Alme has also led major nonprofit and philanthropic organizations focused on strengthening communities and serving families. He served as executive vice president and later president and general counsel of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.
Alme earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and his law degree from Harvard Law School. After law school, Alme clerked for U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell in Montana, and practiced law at the regional law firm now known as Crowley Fleck.
A native Montanan, Kurt graduated from Custer County District High School in Miles City. Kurt is married to Sandra, they live in Billings and have two grown children.