WASHINGTON ― Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) abruptly dropped his bid for reelection on Wednesday, becoming one of nearly a dozen senators heading for the exits this year.

“I’m grateful to God for allowing me to serve, but after much careful thought, I’ve decided not to seek reelection,” Daines said in a video posted to his social media, adding that he’s “ready for whatever comes next.”

Daines withdrew his campaign minutes before the 5 p.m. filing deadline with the Montana Secretary of State’s office. At approximately the same time, Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed his paperwork to replace Daines in the Senate, in a similar move by Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) that earned him a bipartisan censure in the House of Representatives earlier this year.

The announcement from Daines comes as a huge surprise in D.C. and in Montana. The 63-year-old Republican was first elected to the Senate in 2014. A top ally of President Donald Trump, he led the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the 2024 cycle and helped to oust longtime former Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.).

Trump quickly endorsed Alme, whom he appointed as a U.S. attorney, as Daines’ successor, helping to deny Democrats a chance to recruit a top-tier candidate in the race.

“A Highly Respected Criminal Prosecutor in my Administration, and distinguished Harvard Law School Graduate, Kurt knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to ensure LAW AND ORDER, advocate for our Heroes in Law Enforcement, and strongly support our Military and Veterans,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Earlier in the day, former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar launched an independent campaign to oust Daines in the Senate. The 47-year-old West Point grad and Rhodes Scholar is facing an uphill climb in a red state where Trump is overwhelmingly popular, but an independent candidacy could shake up the race, especially if voters continue to sour on Trump’s handling of the economy.

Bodnar blasted Daines’ “disgusting” last-minute switch with Alme on Wednesday, vowing to fight for “every single Montanan who is sick of this broken political system.”

“Steve Daines has so little respect for Montana Republicans that he withdrew at the last minute to coronate his handpicked successor instead of giving them a voice at the ballot box,” Bodnar said in a statement. “This is the disgusting arrogance of Washington politicians and their party bosses who trade power back and forth like candy while Montanans are crushed under higher costs and fewer opportunities.”

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