GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale is dropping his Montana Senate bid less than a week after he officially launched it, he confirmed to POLITICO.
Rosendale had publicly explored a campaign for months, teasing his entrance into the race in conversations with like-minded Republicans. But by the time he got in, it appeared already too late: Just hours after his entry, former President Donald Trump endorsed veteran Tim Sheehy. Rosendale said he concluded his path was irrevocably severed by the former president.
As everyone knows, I have planned to run for the US Senate and to win both the primary and the general election, Rosendale said in a statement. However, the day I announced, President Trump then announced that he was endorsing a different candidate.
Rosendale conceded in his statement that in Montana, Trumps endorsement of Sheehy would be too much to overcome.
Rosendale also faced a serious fundraising challenge given the head start that Sheehy and his allies had. Sheehy, who runs an aerial firefighting company, is also personally wealthy and willing to self-fund. National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) recruited Sheehy and urged Trump to endorse his pick.
By my calculations, with Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep, Rosendale said.
Matt Rosendale said he still loves former President Trump despite Trumps recent endorsement of Tim Sheehy, an opponent of the Montana Republican Senate candidate.
I love President Trump, Rosendale said in an interview with CNNs Abby Phillip highlighted by Mediaite after Trump endorsed Sheehy.