Sen. Steve Daines announced Wednesday night that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
The 63-year-old Montana Republican is joining five other GOP colleagues who are retiring from the Senate.
“Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career. I’m grateful to God for allowing me to serve. But after much careful thought, I’ve decided not to seek reelection,” said Daines in a pre-recorded video posted to social media.
Daines withdrew from the Montana ballot minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline Wednesday night, quickly followed by U.S. Attorney for Montana Kurt Alme filing to run for the seat.
Daines and President Donald Trump quickly endorsed Alme.
“[Daines] has decided to leave the Senate and ‘pass the torch’ to Kurt Alme,” said Trump. “Kurt is exceptional, and I will be giving him, based on Steve’s strongest recommendation, my Complete and Total endorsement.”
Alme served as the U.S. attorney for Montana in both of Trump’s terms.
The president’s endorsement will be important for the November election, given that Trump won the state in 2024 by almost 20 points.
“As your next Senator, Kurt will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion our Farmers and Ranchers, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” announced Trump.
“I’m energized, I’m encouraged, and I’m ready for whatever comes next,” Daines stated in his announcement. “I’m also very thankful to have served alongside President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., praised Daines following his retirement announcement.
“His leadership and tireless work were instrumental in securing our Republican majority,” Thune stated on X. “The Senate and our conference are better because of him.”
Colleagues and former staff of Daines also took to social media praising the senator for his service to Montana and the country.
“Starting in 2012, Steve led a conservative revolution in our state that resulted in flipping every single statewide office to Republican control,” said Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.
“Steve is doing something we don’t often see in modern politics: stepping down at the height of his power to clear the way for a new generation of leaders,” he continued.
Senator Daines is a giant in Montana politics and a master political strategist. Starting in 2012, Steve led a conservative revolution in our state that resulted in flipping every single statewide office to Republican control.
In 2024, Steve did our country a great service… https://t.co/y8xjWMbvpX
— Tim Sheehy (@TimSheehyMT) March 5, 2026
One former staffer recalled on X when she was offered her first job out of college in Daines’ office, feeling like she “hit the jackpot.”
Daines concluded his announcement by saying, “I’m most grateful to my sweet wife, Cindy, of 39 years. For the past 13 years, Cindy has selflessly dropped me off at the airport at 5 a.m. on most Mondays for that commute back to D.C.”
Daines and Cindy have seven grandchildren and said they look forward to spending more time in Montana.
