Rep. Matt Rosendale launched his reelection bid to retain his deep-red seat in Montana on Wednesday, and endorsed his former Senate primary opponent in the process.
Mr. Rosendale, Montana Republican, will seek a third term representing the Treasure State after speculation swirled on his political future following a brief run for Montana’s hotly contested Senate race.
“At the urging of my family, friends, constituents and President Trump, I announce my intention to seek reelection,” Mr. Rosendale said on X.
Mr. Rosendale’s entrance into the race for Montana’s second district pits him against a crowded field of former and current elected officials vying for the GOP nomination, including former Rep. Denny Rehberg, who served as Montana’s lone congressman from 2001 to 2013.
The lawmaker’s decision to run again comes after a short-lived dive into the waters of the Montana Senate race, a dip that had Mr. Rosendale headed for a collision in the GOP primary with aerospace millionaire Tim Sheehy.
Former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Mr. Sheehy and a lack of financial resources doomed Mr. Rosendale’s bid for a rematch with longtime incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Democrat.
Now, the lawmaker has shifted gears and endorsed his former opponent, arguing that the Montana GOP’s ultimate goal should be to defeat Mr. Tester.
“To do that, we must unify as a party,” Mr. Rosendale said. “I am supporting Tim Sheehy as our party’s nominee so we can rally together to defeat Jon Tester and take back the U.S. Senate.”
Mr. Rosendale’s exit from the Senate race was also marred with controversy earlier this week when former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp accused the lawmaker of leaving the Senate race because he impregnated a 20-year-old staffer.
The lawmaker has since threatened to sue Ms. Heitkamp for defamation, and local TV news outlet NonStop Local reported that his lawyers have filed a litigation hold against the former senator that requests corrective actions be taken and notices legal action.
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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