GOP Member Calls Off Campaign for Senate

(RepublicanView.org) – Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale called a halt to his Senate campaign just days after entering the race. The Montana Representative and Trump supporter withdrew when the former President gave his endorsement to Tim Sheehy, who is also competing to unseat Democrat Jon Tester. In a statement posted to Twitter on February 15, Rosendale said he remains staunchly pro-Trump but decided to withdraw from the Senate race having calculated his chances of success against a Trump-endorsed competitor.

Rosendale said in his statement that the race was already tough as he faced off against the GOP establishment in Washington, DC, but with Trump’s support for Sheehy, the “hill was too steep to climb.” He concluded that he would return to Montana and speak with his family before deciding his next move.

In backing Sheehy on Truth Social, the former President called the former Navy SEAL an “American hero,” and said that while he respects Matt Rosendale, Sheehy was “best positioned” to beat Democrat Tester. Trump added that he has endorsed Rosendale in the past and will endorse him again in the future if he decides to fight to keep his House seat.

The former President described first-time candidate Sheehy as a political outsider, but Rosendale claims he is a Mitch McConnell “pick.” Nevertheless, he backed out, and Sheehy celebrated by posting a public thank-you note to Trump. “Thank you, Mr. President. Let’s MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.

According to Newsweek, Montana Democratic Party senior communications adviser Hannah Rehm said it doesn’t matter who Trump endorses because Senator Tester is a Montana stalwart who will not be defeated by “out-of-staters.” She described Mr. Rosendale as “Maryland Matt” and Sheehy as “Transplant Tim.”

Senator Tester has represented the Treasure State since 2007, having previously served in the state senate from 1999 to 2007. In 2018, Tester defeated Rosendale by 49% to 48%, despite Trump’s endorsement and his four visits to Montana to promote Rosendale. Tester did not criticize Trump during his campaign.