{"id":2576263,"date":"2026-03-04T20:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T01:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-daines-announces-shock-retirement-decision\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T20:35:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T01:35:46","slug":"steve-daines-announces-shock-retirement-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/steve-daines-announces-shock-retirement-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Daines announces shock retirement decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsteve-daines-announces-shock-retirement-decision%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2576263&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sen. Steve Daines of Montana announced that he will retire from the U.S. Senate and will not seek a third term, leaving the seat open for a new candidate in January. he endorsed Kurt Alme, the Montana U.S. attorney who filed to run before the deadline, effectively backing him to take the seat. The surprise move comes as polling had favored Daines and as he had been actively fundraising for his campaign. Daines described it as a time for new leadership and urged support for Alme, with Trump quickly lending his endorsement to Alme as well. The development is part of a broader wave of retirements in both parties ahead of upcoming elections, and it follows other Montana political moves, including Rep. Ryan Zinke\u2019s retirement announcement. Daines, who has served in the Senate since 2014 after a stint in the House, previously chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has a background in private industry and foreign policy, including shuttle diplomacy in Asia.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Steve Daines announces shock retirement minutes before Senate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/reporters-grill-psaki-over-lack-of-access-to-border-crisis-you-promised-truth-and-transparency\/\" title=\"Reporters Grill Psaki Over Lack Of Access To Border Crisis: You \u2018Promised\u2019 Truth And Transparency\">filing deadline<\/a><\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2523011\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/steve-daines\/\">Steve Daines<\/a> (R-MT) will not run for a third term in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Senate<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-bidens-welfare-expansion-plans-undermine-americas-safety\/\" title=\"How Biden\u2019s Welfare Expansion Plans Undermine America\u2019s Safety\">shock decision<\/a> that came minutes before the filing deadline in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/montana\/\">Montana<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Daines, who served a single term in the House before his election to the Senate in 2014, announced on Wednesday that he will retire in January, giving another Republican a chance to vie for his Senate seat. He quickly endorsed Kurt Alme, a U.S. attorney for Montana who filed to run shortly before the 7 p.m. ET deadline.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480750\/gop-trump-cornyn-president-teases-decision\/\">GOP begs Trump to endorse Cornyn as <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >president teases decision &#038;lsquo<\/a>;soon&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480545\/gop-rushes-define-talarico-cornyn-paxton-overtime-trump\/\">GOP rushes to define Talarico as Cornyn-Paxton race goes into overtime: &lsquo;Trump-hating radical&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480536\/trump-teases-texas-senate-endorsement-reports-john-cornyn\/\">Trump teases Texas Senate endorsement moments after report says he&#8217;s picking John Cornyn<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Serving the people of Montana in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career and I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve,&rdquo; Daines said in a statement. &ldquo;After wrestling with this decision for months, I have decided I will not seek re-election. It is time for &hellip; new leaders like Tim Sheehy to spearhead the fight for Montana in the United States Senate.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The decision is a surprise turn of events in Montana&rsquo;s Senate race, where Daines, 63, was facing challenges from several Democrats and one independent. Polling <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mtpr.org\/podcast\/campaign-beat\/2026-02-27\/polling-favors-daines-who-are-the-challengers-reformers-speak-out\">favored<\/a> Daines in the race, and as recently as this week, he was sending <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ShaneGoldmacher\/status\/2029358902475657507?s=20\">fundraising appeals<\/a> for his campaign. He beat his 2020 competitor, Steve Bullock, by 10 points.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s also the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4074633\/cynthia-lummis-senator-retire-2026\/\">latest departure for Senate Republicans<\/a>. So far, seven GOP senators have <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4040585\/where-house-senate-retirements-stand-2026\/\">announced their retirement<\/a>. On the Democratic side, that tally is five. His decision comes two days after another Montana Republican, Rep. Ryan Zinke, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4477290\/ryan-zinke-retiring-joining-house-exodus\/\">announced<\/a> he would step down at the end of his term. <\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump quickly rallied behind Alme, joining Daines and Montana&rsquo;s other senator, Tim Sheehy (R-MT), in offering his &ldquo;Complete and Total Endorsement.&rdquo; Senate Republicans voted to confirm Alme as the U.S. attorney for the District of Montana in October.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Kurt Alme is an exceptional person, and will do a fantastic job as your next United States Senator from the Great State of Montana &mdash; HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!&rdquo; Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/116173854754088612\">said<\/a> in a post on Truth Social.<\/p>\n<p>The timing of Daines&rsquo;s withdrawal from the race drew immediate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jamiedupree\/status\/2029364442618552736?s=20\">comparisons<\/a> to the succession plan Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-IL) orchestrated when his chief of staff filed for his seat an hour before the Illinois filing deadline. The move was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3892641\/durbin-pans-chuy-garcie-retirement-succession-scheme\/\">criticized<\/a> as an undemocratic attempt to bar other Democrats from competing for the seat.<\/p>\n<p>Days later, the House voted to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3891249\/23-democrats-rebuke-jesus-chuy-garcia-succession-plan\/\">reprimand Garcia<\/a> after a fellow Democrat brought a censure resolution to the floor.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3880199\/steve-daines-shuttle-diplomacy-asia-trump\/\"><strong>STEVE DAINES CARVES OUT SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY LANE AS ASIA EXPERT FOR TRUMP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Daines made his mark in Washington as the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2024, helping Republicans retake the Senate and unified control of government with Trump at the top of the ticket.<\/p>\n<p>He worked for more than two decades in private industry before his career in politics, leveraging his time spent in China to help advocate for the president on foreign policy. Daines is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daines retires, minutes before Montana filing deadline<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2576264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25015695238976-e1762715905357.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[70371,5894,7620,3740,75105],"class_list":["post-2576263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-breaking-news-2","tag-politics","tag-retirement","tag-senate","tag-steve-daines"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25015695238976-e1762715905357.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2576263"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2576267,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576263\/revisions\/2576267"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2576264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2576263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2576263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2576263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}