Rosendale Senate bid draws mixed reaction from conservatives

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., announced his long-expected run for Senate Friday, paving the way for what may be a divisive primary that has drawn a mixed reaction from Republican colleagues.

While he only officially announced it last week Rosendale has been hinting for months that he wanted a rematch against long-time Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, whom he lost to in 2018, and many prominent Republicans have been publicly urging him against it, and supporting Republican Tim Sheehy as their best hope to beat Tester in the general election.

Perhaps the most vocal critic has been Montana Sen. Steve Daines, who criticized Friday's announcement, saying the primary challenge would only increase the risk of Tester maintaining his seat, and that Rosendale should instead focus on building influence in the House of Representatives.

"It's unfortunate that rather than building seniority for our great state in the House, Matt is choosing to abandon his seat and create a divisive primary," Daines said in a press release.

This criticism was mirrored, albeit indirectly, by former President Donald Trump who endorsed Sheehy and said he would continue to support Rosendale, just not as a candidate in this race.

"I also respect Matt Rosendale and was very happy to endorse him in the past-and will endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his congressional seat," Trump said, "But in this instance, Tim (Sheehy) is the candidate who is currently best positioned to defeat lazy Jon Tester and regain the Republican majority."

Sheehy's campaign has pointed to this endorsement and has touted the candidate's loyalty to the former president, along with the military service and status as a business owner.

"Trump and Tim Sheehy cannot be bought and are the conservative warriors we need to put the people of Montana first, drain the swamp, and save our country from the mess Joe Biden and Jon Tester created," a release from the Sheehy campaign said.

While Rosendale has largely avoided criticizing Sheehy so far, he has been extremely critical of those Republicans who have encouraged him not to run, accusing them, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., of collaborating with Democrats as part of a "uniparty," a phrase Rosendale has repeatedly used to describe large segments of established Republican legislators.

"For decades, Mitch McConnell, and the Washington establishment have sold the American people short," said Rosendale in his announcement. "They've been the architects of a $34 trillion debt, the invasion taking place at the southern border, allowing China to spy on Americans and emerge as the global superpower, all while enriching their friends with the Green New Deal, at the taxpayer's expense."

Rosendale's announcement also commented on his leaving the House after a single term, framing it as opposition to establishment Republicans.

"While it has truly been an honor and a privilege to represent Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is difficult for me to stand by and allow Mitch McConnell to select our next senator who would be another voice for the uniparty and another vote for every pork-filled omnibus that comes through the Senate," the announcement said.

Tester had not responded to requests for comment by print deadline this morning.

The Senate Majority PAC, which is supporting Tester, did issue a statement.

"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," Senate Majority PAC Spokesperson Sarah Guggenheimer said in the release. "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 Sen. Jon Tester to put their interests first."

Republican Brad Johnson, a former Montana secretary of state and former Public Service Commission chair, has also announced his candidacy in the Senate race, as has Libertarian Sid Daoud.

As for the void left by Rosendale, a crowded field of Republican primary candidates has risen, including Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, State Auditor Troy Downing and Montana State Sen. Kenneth Bogner.

Many of the Republican candidates have said their running for the House was contingent on Rosendale not running for re-election.

Former state senator Ric Holden, former state senator Ed Walker, former state representative Joel Krautter, and former Drug Enforcement Administration Stacy Zinn, have also announced runs for the seat.

Business owner and community organizer Kevin Hamm and prominent Billings Democrat Ming Cabrera have said they are running on the other side of the aisle.

Walker responded to the Friday announcement by wishing Rosendale well, though not specifically endorsing him, and stressing the importance of keeping his congressional seat in the hands of Republicans.

"I thank Rep. Rosendale for his service to Montana in the U.S. House and wish him luck in his new endeavor," Walker said. "Now, we must ensure that Montana's 2nd Congressional seat stays in conservative hands."

Downing responded by touting his own credentials for Congress and expressing vehement opposition to the "woke" and "radical left" Democrats.

"I fought for this country and I won't sit on the sidelines while the radical left literally disassembles our borders, raises our taxes, lays siege on our schools, and attacks our way of life." Downing said, "We must close our southern border, end out-of-control federal spending, and purge the radical woke agenda from our schools and military."