Montana Senate Race Takes an Unexpected Turn
Speaker Johnson had initially planned to endorse Rosendale for the Montana Senate race. However, after facing intense backlash from Trump allies on Capitol Hill, Johnson decided to withdraw his endorsement. Sources reveal that he communicated this change of plans to at least one senator and one congressman.
Unhappy Lawmakers and Weaker Candidate
According to a second source, the dissatisfied lawmakers were Rep. Ryan Zinke and Sen. Steve Daines, both Republicans from Montana. Rep. Zinke confirmed that Speaker Johnson is no longer endorsing Rosendale, stating that the decision was influenced by the belief that Rosendale is a weaker candidate compared to Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.
Sen. Daines, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), expressed his discontent with Johnson’s intention to endorse Rosendale. Both Daines and Zinke have thrown their support behind a former Navy SEAL, who has also received endorsements from Montana’s governor and other prominent GOP officials.
A Request from Rosendale and Speaker’s Decision
It was revealed that Rosendale had reached out to Speaker Johnson, requesting his backing in the Senate race. This move did not sit well with Zinke and Daines, who were reportedly upset about Johnson’s planned endorsement. However, a third source familiar with Zinke’s thinking shared that the speaker called Zinke to discuss the matter, and Zinke supports the decision to not get involved.
Critical Implications for the GOP
The withdrawal of Speaker Johnson’s endorsement has significant implications for the GOP’s chances of retaking the Senate in the upcoming elections. Montana is viewed as a crucial state in this endeavor. Incumbent Sen. Tester has managed to secure several close victories in a state that has been trending Republican.
In the 2020 presidential race, former President Trump won Montana by a considerable margin over President Biden. However, Trump has not endorsed any candidate in the Montana Senate race at this time.
While the Johnson campaign clarified that the speaker has committed to financially supporting Rosendale, as he does with other House colleagues and friends, he has not made any endorsements in Senate races. The campaign reaffirmed that Speaker Johnson’s primary focus is on expanding the House majority.
Fox News Digital reached out to Rosendale’s campaign for comment but has not received an immediate response. A spokesperson for Sen. Daines referred inquiries to the NRSC.
