Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) endorsed Tim Sheehy just hours after the Republican announced a challenge to Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) in Montana in what is likely to be one of the most competitive races in 2024.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman endorsed Sheehy shortly after he announced his bid on Tuesday morning, setting the stage for what could become a contentious primary as other Republicans consider a run.
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“Tim Sheehy is a decorated veteran, successful businessman, and a great Montanan,” Daines said in a statement. “I could not be happier that he has decided to enter the Montana Senate race.”
Daines has been courting Sheehy for months to launch a Senate bid in Montana as the campaign arm chairman sought to recruit candidates who are either good fundraisers or personally wealthy. Sheehy, the founder of Bridger Aerospace, is seen as someone who could fund his own campaign, giving Republicans a boost to flip the key Senate seat. Bridger Aerospace was valued at $869 million last year.
Daines’s early endorsement marks his latest attempt to provide an early boost to candidates he views as having the best shot to win in the general election. The NRSC chairman has similarly backed Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) in his bid to unseat Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).
The early support breaks from the party’s strategy in 2022, when GOP leaders refrained from endorsing candidates in the primary elections — possibly leading to the so-called “candidate quality” problem that Republicans say caused their lackluster performance.
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There are a total of 34 Senate seats up for grabs in the 2024 election cycle. Of these, Democrats must defend 23, compared to just 11 for Republicans. The circumstances put Republicans in a strong position to flip some crucial Senate seats that could easily shift the balance of power in the upper chamber.
Democrats have at least eight seats that are considered to be competitive heading into 2024, while all 11 for Republicans are considered safe.