The sudden exit of Matt Rosendale from the Senate race, just a week after he jumped in, has set off a storm in Montana’s Republican circles.
Rosendale had been teasing a Senate run for months, positioning himself as the true conservative alternative Montana needed. He vowed to take on Jon Tester, stand up to Biden, and challenge fellow Republicans who seemed too cozy with the Washington elite.
In a fiery announcement earlier this month, Rosendale called out heavyweights like Mitch McConnell and Steve Daines, accusing them of trying to dictate Montana’s choice by backing Tim Sheehy instead.
But the excitement quickly fizzled out. Rosendale surprised everyone by dropping out, pointing to Trump’s endorsement of Sheehy as the final nail in the coffin. But there were other factors at play, like weak fundraising and waning support from key backers.
While some whisper about ulterior motives behind Rosendale’s exit, the official story is that without Trump’s support and enough campaign cash, winning seemed impossible.
Now, everyone’s wondering what’s next for Rosendale. Will he seek reelection in his current district? Or will he bow out of politics altogether?
As for the broader movement Rosendale championed, it’s at a crossroads. Sheehy, backed by big-name Republicans, faces skepticism from some in the party who question his conservative credentials.
Despite the internal rifts, Republicans are gearing up to take on Tester. But the fallout from recent political maneuvers could make rallying behind a single candidate a bumpy ride.
In the midst of it all, Montana’s GOP slogan, “Better Together,” is being put to the test as the party tries to find its footing.
