GOP likes its chances of defeating Tester in Montana

The Hill ^ | 09/14/24 | Jared Gans

[T Ruth]

Republicans are feeling better and better about their chances of knocking off Sen. Jon Tester (D) in Montana’s hotly contested Senate race, which would greatly increase their chances of winning back the chamber next year.

Several recent polls have shown Republican businessman Tim Sheehy leading Tester by a few points, within the margin of error but not what Democrats are hoping for in a state seen as critical to their chances of keeping Senate control.

The race is still expected to be tight, but multiple election forecasters have shifted their ratings of the contest from toss-up to leaning Republican.

The election seems to hinge on whether the race can be centered on local issues, as Tester has sought to make it, or nationalized in the context of the 2024 cycle at large, which favors Sheehy and the GOP.

“He’s trying to present himself as kind of a maverick in D.C., more focused on Montana’s issues than what’s happening within the Democratic caucus, and I think people have finally started to see through that,” said Chuck Denowh, a former executive director of the Montana Republican Party.

Montana is a reliably red state in presidential elections and is likely to comfortably vote for former President Trump for the third straight time in November. But Tester is also an institution in the state.

He was first elected in 2006 and has since been reelected twice, getting through narrowly by a few percentage points each time. Although Montana has voted for the GOP presidential candidate each time this century, it has still elected Democrats and had a Democratic governor as recently as less than five years ago.

But as the state has begun voting more consistently Republican, Tester is the last remaining Democrat serving in statewide office there.

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[Parley Baer]

I sure hope so. Maybe this 2nd attempt on Trump life will sway some more voters away from the Democrats. Hopefully is will wake up more people.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Red state. They shouda done it 12 yeas ago. I don’t know about the gop challengers but there is something to be said about ‘carrying’ ours past the finish line. The rats do it but we won’t-we’re not serious and it’s getting late.

[rodguy911]

more focused on Montana’s issues than what’s happening within the Democratic caucus,

These guys are too far from the southern border,they just dont get it! We are under attack and have been for some time! Forget the local BS! Pubbies can handle that better than commies anyway.!!