EXCLUSIVE: Montana's Senate race will be one of the most “intense” ground battles of the 2024 cycle, with the House majority at stake, according to the Republican campaign chair.
As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Sen. Steve Daines is spearheading the Republican effort to take control of the Senate, with an increased focus on ousting the three-term Democrat from red state Montana. are.
Daines told FOX News Digital that the Montana Senate race between Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy and three-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is the strongest Republican ground campaign the state has seen. told us exclusively that they are featuring one.
“I have watched many Senate, House and Governor races in Montana over the years. It spans a lot,” Daines told Fox News. digital. “This is door-to-door persuasion, making phone calls and using a lot of digital. So this is a very strong ground war. I believe that a well-run ground war will win elections. I know what you are thinking.”
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Montana Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy (left) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) listen to Republican presidential candidate former President Trump speak at Montana State University's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, August 2024. March 9, Bozeman, Mont. (Michael Ciaglo)
The New York Times recently reported that Mr. Sheehy has an 8-point lead over Mr. Tester, but Mr. Daines said he will continue to campaign until election day, even though some polls show the Republican candidate still in the lead. He emphasized that he intends to strengthen it.
“With just over two and a half weeks until the election, this is a very active and active time as we continue to have sufficient resources focused on turnout and ground operations,” Daines said. “Please take your message to the few remaining undecided voters through television, radio, digital mail, etc. So we will not give up. Keep working hard until Election Day.”
The Montana race is considered the most expensive Senate race per vote, and Daines blames the high stakes.
“This will secure a Republican majority and take the gavel out of Chuck Schumer's hands,” he told Fox. “That's why there's so much interest in this race.”
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) photograph a message about the importance of getting the coronavirus vaccine outside the Dirksen Building on April 27, 2021. . (Tom Williams)
In early September, two political forecasters switched Montana's race from close to “leaning Republican,” with AARP and NYT polls showing Republicans leading in the race against the third-term Democrat. was shown.
According to the committee chairman, former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Sheehy earlier this year, visited Bozeman in August, contributing to the change in support for the Republican candidate in recent polls.
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Montana voters have long trended Republican, and Tester remains the only Democrat to hold statewide office in the state.
“I think what's happened is that Montana has moved a little bit more in terms of voting and thinking. But the biggest problem for Democrats is that they've moved to the far left. This is what I grew up with. It’s not like the Democratic Party.’ That’s the case here in Montana,” Daines said of the state’s red wave.
Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks at a rally supporting Republican presidential candidate and former President Trump on August 9, 2024 in Bozeman, Montana. (Natalie Bering)
Daines also emphasized the national implications of the Big Sky Senate race.
“This race is bigger than Montana because this race is really going to decide the future of the United States Supreme Court, the future of the circuit courts,” Daines said. “With the Trump tax cuts set to expire in 2025, this will be a massive tax increase for small businesses in Montana.
“Jon Tester voted against that tax bill. I voted for it. Tim Sheehy would vote for it. So there's a lot at stake, not just for Montana but for the entire country. And we here in Montana probably will too.'' Tim Sheehy's victory could overturn the majority control of the U.S. Senate, and it will not only protect the great state of Montana, but our great state. It also has important meaning for the country. ”
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There are 34 seats up for grabs in the Senate this term, with Democrats defending 23 of them. Democrats hold a 51-50 majority in the Senate, and just one seat swap could shift the majority to Republicans.
