The Montana Senate race is tilting Republican, with GOP candidate Tim Sheehy set to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, potentially flipping control of the Senate.
The Montana Senate race is now leaning Republican, signaling a potential shift in control of the U.S. Senate. Republican candidate Tim Sheehy, a Purple Heart recipient and former Navy SEAL, is poised to unseat Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, according to a new rating from the Cook Political Report. The report, a respected nonpartisan election tracker, moved the race from a toss-up to leaning Republican, with Sheehy consistently leading Tester in recent polls.
Sheehy’s campaign has gained momentum with strong backing from Republicans, including an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Trump’s support came after Rep. Matt Rosendale briefly entered the race before withdrawing, clearing the path for Sheehy. National Republicans have focused their attacks on Tester’s alignment with President Biden and Vice President Harris, accusing him of being out of step with Montana voters despite his efforts to brand himself as a moderate.
Tester, who has held his seat since 2006, faces an uphill battle as Montana’s electorate leans heavily Republican. A recent AARP poll shows Republicans accounting for nearly 40% of likely voters, compared to just 25% for Democrats. Tester’s strategy has been to appeal to independents, emphasizing his bipartisan work, particularly with former President Trump, and highlighting his efforts to secure the southern border and reduce government spending.
With the Senate potentially hanging in the balance, the outcome of this race could determine which party controls the chamber in 2024.
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