Trump-Backed Kurt Alme Wins Montana GOP Senate Primary

Jun 2, 2026

Kurt Alme, a former U.S. attorney backed by Donald Trump, won Montana's GOP Senate primary after incumbent Sen. Steve Daines abruptly withdrew from the race and endorsed him. The move drew accusations of a "backroom deal." Alme now faces Democrat Alani Bankhead and well-funded independent Seth Bodnar in the general election in the reliably Republican state, which Trump won by 20 points in 2024.

Montana GOP Senate primary results

▪With about 30% of the vote counted, Kurt Alme led his two challengers with 77.3%.
▪Kurt Alme, a former U.S. attorney, won Montana's Republican Senate primary on June 2, 2026.
▪Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead has pledged to stay in the race and not clear a path for independent Seth Bodnar.
▪Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead won the Democratic primary, defeating former state Rep. Reilly Neill.
▪The November general election will feature Republican Kurt Alme, independent Seth Bodnar, and Democrat Alani Bankhead.

Steve Daines retirement announcement

▪Incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines announced he would not seek a third term in March, just minutes before the filing deadline.
▪Kurt Alme filed to run for the Senate seat about five minutes after Sen. Steve Daines endorsed him and withdrew his own candidacy.
▪Opponents accused Sen. Steve Daines of orchestrating a "backroom deal" to install a handpicked candidate.
▪Sen. Steve Daines stated the move was designed to block a prominent Democrat from running and avoid attracting millions in outside spending.

Kurt Alme Trump endorsement

▪Donald Trump stated he endorsed Kurt Alme based on Sen. Steve Daines' "strongest recommendation."
▪Kurt Alme was twice appointed by Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney in Montana.
▪Kurt Alme received endorsements from former President Donald Trump and Sen. Steve Daines.
▪Donald Trump endorsed Kurt Alme on the same day Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from the race in March.

Seth Bodnar independent candidacy

▪Seth Bodnar accused "D.C. insiders" of trying to rig the election by installing a handpicked candidate.
▪Seth Bodnar, a former Green Beret, has stated he will not caucus with either Republicans or Democrats if elected.

Montana Republican electoral dominance

▪No Democratic presidential candidate has won Montana since Bill Clinton in 1992.
▪Donald Trump won Montana in all three of his presidential campaigns, carrying the state by 20 percentage points in 2024.
▪In 2024, Republican Tim Sheehy defeated two-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.
▪In 2024, Donald Trump received a career-high 58.4% of the vote in Montana.