SMP Statement on Matt Rosendale’s Senate Campaign

After Mitch McConnell and Steve Daines spent months working to keep Rep. Matt Rosendale out of Montana’s GOP Senate primary, the previously failed candidate today announced his bid for Senate.

Rosendale’s launch is the end result of National Republicans’ disastrous and ineffective campaign to clear the path for McConnell’s handpicked candidate Tim Sheehy, and sets the stage for what will surely be a knock-out primary.

And while DC Republicans have been all in on Sheehy despite his overwhelming baggage, Montana Republicans have lined up behind Rosendale. In fact, 39 Montana legislators, including the state Speaker of the House and Senate President, all backed Rosendale before he even entered the race.

Now, the two candidates will spend the coming months facing off in what has already become a nasty, personal, and brutal primary race.

“Despite a monthslong pressure campaign from Mitch McConnell and Steve Daines, National Republicans are now saddled with two damaged and out of touch candidates who will face off in an expensive and nasty GOP primary,” said Senate Majority PAC Spokesperson Sarah Guggenheimer. “Rep. Matt Rosendale and Tim Sheehy will spend the coming months attacking each other every chance they get. Meanwhile, Montana voters will continue to see why they can always count on Senator Jon Tester to put their interests first.”