Kurt Alme, the hand-selected candidate to replace Steve Daines, has secured the Republican nomination for Montana’s Senate seat. Alme and Daines executed a coordinated effort to rig the Montana GOP primary. Alme filed his candidacy mere minutes before the filing deadline, and Daines withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Alme immediately afterward. This last-second switcheroo effectively guaranteed Alme the Republican nomination, allowing zero time for any potential challengers to Alme to run against him.
“Congratulating Kurt Alme on his primary victory would be completely disingenuous, as the nomination was handed to him on a silver platter through backroom deals among Washington elites,” said Gus Nathanson, spokesperson for American Bridge 21st Century. “Daines chose Alme as his heir apparent and undemocratically ensured that he would not face any competition, subverting the will and voice of Montanans in the process.”
Read more about why Kurt Alme does not belong in the U.S. Senate
Alme has gone so far as to admit that the purpose of his last-minute entry into the US Senate race was to circumvent normal democratic processes, stating that Senator Daines “wanted to discourage” others from entering the race.
The nature of Alme’s shady candidacy has even drawn significant criticism from key figures in the Montana Republican Party, including GOP Montana House Rep. Shane Klakken, and former Montana Secretary of State Brad Johnson.
Alme does not represent the best interests of the Treasure State:
- Despite the fact that Montanans deeply oppose federal land sales and transfers, Alme’s campaign is supported by a super PAC that has a history of funneling money to groups that are looking to sell off public lands.
- Alme oversaw funding for a ranch for at-risk youth that was accused of negligence in a child sexual abuse case.
- Alme supports the tariffs that are driving up costs of everyday goods for Montanans.
- Alme fully backs the Iran war, which is raising fertilizer and fuel prices for Montana families and farmers.
This November, however, Montanans will have an opportunity to do something that they could not do during this primary: voice their opinion at the ballot box. They can send the message that Washington does not decide who represents them in the Senate.
Published: Jun 2, 2026