Posted on 02/11/2024 7:01:21 AM PST by RandFan
The entry of Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) into Montana’s Senate race is threatening the party with a bitter and bruising primary ahead of a general election seen as central to its effort to regain control of the upper chamber in November.
Rosendale, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, officially filed to enter the GOP race Friday, jumping in alongside businessman Tim Sheehy, who is seen by many members of party leadership as the stronger candidate. Both men are looking to take on Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.), one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents up for reelection this year.
In a sign of how concerned Republicans are about Rosendale, the party quickly moved to coalesce around Sheehy on Friday. Former President Trump, who until this point had stayed out of the primary, formally endorsed Sheehy, prodding Rosendale to instead run for his House seat. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), a potential vice presidential pick, also came out in support of Sheehy, while Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), blasted Rosendale in a statement.
But Rosendale has dug in his heels, saying in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he plans to stay the course.
“I love President Trump,” Rosendale wrote. “But he needs actual fighters in the U.S. Senate to enact his Agenda 47 – and that’s me and not Mitch McConnell’s hand pick, Tim Sheehy. I’m going to win this primary, defeat Jon Tester in November and together we will Make America Great Again!”
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
It's a competitive race and I doubt it will be a nasty one in Montana.
Sometimes there are a few candidates qualified.
Best to let it play out than get involved and let the voters decide. Media will play up the "split".
Rosdenale is not that objectionable given he won their only congressional district despite losing to Tester for Senate. He also has a record to look at.
I'm NEUTRAL for the time being!
“...sparks GOP furor”
Makes it easy for me to choose a side.
Senate primaries in my opinion should never be a procession.
Don’t be annoyed by someone else entering the race even if against a Trump endorsement.
The lying media will of course meddle but they will anyway in the general election.
“South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), a potential vice presidential pick, also came out in support of Sheehy”
...not good, should have stayed in her lane on this.
Its the Hill...having a hissy that the UniParty candidate selected to replace Tester is gonna get pwned by MAGA
Bannon went off on Sheehy and what a globalist he is.
“Rosdenale is not that objectionable given he won their only congressional district despite losing to Tester for Senate.”
Yes, Rosendale has won statewide already, since Montana had only one rep at that time.
And 2018 was an anti-Republican, anti-Trump year, and I’m sure McConnell did everything he could behind the scenes to help Tester get reelected to prevent Rosendale from getting into HIS senate. And of course because of that, Rosendale is viewed as a “loser.” But that NEVER goes both ways, ya see. After Martha McSally lost in 2018 (same year as Rosendale), McConnell conviced Governor Douche to appoint her as Senator to fill out John McCain’s term, and she then went on to lose AGAIN.
And don’t forget Loser Loeffler in Georgia, another McConnell pick.
“I’m NEUTRAL for the time being!”
Not to be rude but you are misinformed:
Montana has two congressional districts now, Rosendale represents the Easter part of the state, Zinke represents the West (my district).
I do agree with the rest of your statements, however.
Both men are good, Rosendale has a track record that is excellent and Tester is heavily campaging against Sheehy currently...And he is advertising his ‘greatness’ on Newsmax and other conservative channels...
It would be excellent to oust Tester!
It’s interesting the party want one candidate while Rosendale on the other hand will likely have House colleagues support.
Strange one this and my gut tells me to hold off deciding for now
I imagine the GOP voters will feel the same way in the state?
I’d like to know what any Freepers there think....
Thanks for the update.
This should be “interesting” but the media already saying “bitter”, “divided”, etc.
Grrr...
oops...thought Trump endorsed him...turns out Trump endorsed Sheehy...
Go with the stronger MAGA candidate Rosendale, a member of the freedom caucus. So he lost to Tester previously, a lot has happened in the last four years, as Tester has done nothing but support the RAT policies.
What side did you choose, and why?
I like the fact he has a record to examine
First one to say “He’s unelectable” is a deep state plant
“What side did you choose, and why?”
Not that it matters what side I’m on, but to me Rosendale is elected and thus pretty well vetted, so he should be able to win in that state without much trouble, as it is still a conservative state (Trump won by 17 points).
In a tighter state, and certainly in a blue state, I’d go with Sheehy, as I’ll take almost any RINO over a Democrat, as the difference between a RINO and Democrat is still day and night.
Regan lost to Ford.
Nixon lost to Kennedy.
It happens.
Senator John Uncle Fester Tester.
I expect to see him running around with a light bulb in his mouth.
All good points.
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