Montana Senate Race Heats Up As Tester And Sheehy Vie For Victory‌ ‌

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D) and Tim Sheehy (R) are running in the general election for the United States Senate in Montana on Nov. 5, 2024.

According to Open Secrets’ Lydia McFarlane, the election will be one of the most competitive this year because of the “deep red nature of Montana’s electorate. Former president Donald Trump won the state by 16 percentage points in the 2020 election. Tester is currently the only Democrat holding statewide office in Montana, with Republicans controlling the state legislature and governor’s office.” Tester was first elected to the Senate in 2006, and was re-elected in 2012 and 2018. Republicans have held 

As of July 16, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the general election as a toss-up, while Decision Desk HQ and The Hill rated the general election as Lean Republican.

Control of the U.S. Senate may hinge on Montana’s seat. The chamber currently consists of 47 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and four independents aligned with the Democrats (Sens. Angus King of Maine, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona). While the Montana race is viewed as competitive, polling in Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, and show Democrats consistently in the lead. However, these seats are already held by Democrats or Democrat-aligned independents. 

Montana and West Virginia represent two of the best opportunities for Republicans to pick up seats and flip the chamber. 

Tester received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Great Falls. Before running for political office, Tester worked for his family’s farm, as a music teacher, and served on the Big Sandy School Board. Tester served in the Montana Senate from 1998-2006 and was Senate President from 2005-2006.

Tester said, “It’s important that we have a voice that represents rural America back there in Washington, D.C., and that’s why I’m running.” Tester says he will defend Medicare and Social Security, expand veterans clinics, and invest in rural hospitals and schools.

Sheehy received a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served in the U.S. Navy as a SEAL officer and team leader and worked as a CEO and founder of Ascent Vision Technologies and Bridger Aerospace. 

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Sheehy in early February, an act that helped head off a primary battle with U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R), who represents Montana’s 2nd Congressional District. Trump’s endorsement of Sheehy came hours after Rosendale announced his entry into the race. Rosendale dropped out of the race less than a week later.

A month later, Rosendale announced that he did not intend to seek reelection to the U.S. House. 

At the Republican National Convention in July, Sheehy said, “I’m running for the United States Senate in Montana to bring back accountability to our government and beat John Tester, the liberal Washington politician who votes with Biden and Kamala every single time it matters.” Sheehy says he will oppose policies that transfer public lands to the federal government, increase America’s energy independence, increase border security, protect gun ownership, and increase fiscal responsibility.

Based on Q2 2024 reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Tester raised $43.78 million and spent $33.37 million, and Sheehy raised $14.07 million and spent $10.80 million.

Michael Downey (Green Party) and Sid Daoud (L) are also running in the November general election.

Produced in association with Ballotpedia. Edited for Zenger News by Kyana Rubinfeld.