General Discussion

LaMouffette

(2,629 posts) Thu Mar 5, 2026, 07:59 AM 14 hrs ago

Here in Montana, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan "I-rode-a-horse-into-Washington D.C." Zinke are BOTH not running

for election!!! This is huge. If even these two red-state deplorables don't think they can win reelection, then there will, indeed, be a blue tsunami this fall. That is, if we can overcome the R's cheating and messing with the voting machine software and voter purging and voter intimidation and swiping mail boxes and fake slates of electors and ballot-box stealing and declaring a national emergency and canceling the midterm elections.

12 replies

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Here in Montana, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan "I-rode-a-horse-into-Washington D.C." Zinke are BOTH not running (Original Post) LaMouffette 14 hrs ago OP

Sadly, Tester has already endorsed the Indy candidate leftstreet 14 hrs ago #1

Well... 2naSalit 14 hrs ago #3

Yep leftstreet 14 hrs ago #4

Daines and Zinke are such cowards. They could have stuck around and tried to impeach Rump, but they were too scared. LaMouffette 9 hrs ago #9

He used to be a Democrat per this article karynnj 12 hrs ago #6

Hard to say leftstreet 12 hrs ago #7

I just realized why Daines and Zinke waited until now to announce: The deadline to run for the Senate was March 4! So LaMouffette 8 hrs ago #10

No, Daines is a GOPer leftstreet 8 hrs ago #11

That shocked me too, but it could be a strategy to appeal to Montana Repub voters who can't bring themselves to LaMouffette 9 hrs ago #8

I'd love to see their internal polling Chasstev365 14 hrs ago #2

From your lips to gods' ears Easterncedar 13 hrs ago #5

Zinke wants to run for president but will probably run for governor Maru Kitteh 7 hrs ago #12

leftstreet

(40,057 posts)

1. Sadly, Tester has already endorsed the Indy candidate

Reply to LaMouffette (Original post)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:06 AM

14 hrs ago

in the newly open Senate race

Good to see two GOPers out, all the same

2naSalit

(101,942 posts)

3. Well...

Reply to leftstreet (Reply #1)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:16 AM

14 hrs ago

Asswipe daines pulled out two minutes before the filling deadline. He, essentially, took a big, messy shit in the doorway as he left, fucker.

I hope his past catches up to him quickly.

leftstreet

(40,057 posts)

4. Yep

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #3)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:19 AM

14 hrs ago

The whole thing is a hot mess

LaMouffette

(2,629 posts)

9. Daines and Zinke are such cowards. They could have stuck around and tried to impeach Rump, but they were too scared.

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #3)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 01:09 PM

9 hrs ago

karynnj

(60,902 posts)

6. He used to be a Democrat per this article

Reply to leftstreet (Reply #1)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:40 AM

12 hrs ago

This old article shows that the Independent is a long time Democrat, who before Daines left the race ran better as an Independent than a Democrat. https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-chances-flipping-montana-senate-seat-poll-11575698

I know this is not a good source.

If there is no Democrat or a very weak one, a write in for him in the Democratic party might work. The question is whether the Republicans have someone who will get more than just the votes of people who vote R always.

leftstreet

(40,057 posts)

7. Hard to say

Reply to karynnj (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:55 AM

12 hrs ago

Yes, there are Democrats who've filed for the primary. But Tester's endorsement of the Independent has ticked off the MT Dem party.

1-14-2026

Bodnar plans Senate run as an independent, and Tester’s apparent support angers Democrats in Montana
A text message allegedly sent by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester states not only that a Democrat cannot win the race, but that the party’s brand had become a drag on his last two elections.

University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is expected to run for U.S. Senate as an independent, part of an elaborate plan apparently backed by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in a move that has angered Democrats.

A spokesperson for Bodnar confirmed the plan to Montana Free Press on Tuesday, saying that the president will wait to discuss the election until he’s ready to make a formal announcement. The spokesperson said Bodnar would resign his presidential post to run.

Rumors of the move swirled through Democratic circles last week as it appeared that Tester intended not to support a Democratic challenger to two-term Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who played a heavy role in unseating Tester in 2024. The Republican has never had a close race for federal office.

Democrats Reilly Neill, a former state Legislator from Livingston, and Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead have registered Senate campaigns with the Federal Elections Commission.

https://montanafreepress.org/2026/01/14/bodnar-plans-senate-run-as-an-independent-and-testers-apparent-support-angers-democrats-in-montana/

LaMouffette

(2,629 posts)

10. I just realized why Daines and Zinke waited until now to announce: The deadline to run for the Senate was March 4! So

Reply to leftstreet (Reply #7)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 01:54 PM

8 hrs ago

that left no time for any new Democrats to decide to file to run. So now I'm actually glad that Bodner already filed, even if it was as an independent. It's too bad that he didn't file as a Dem, but like I said, his odds might be better running as an independent because here in Montana, we can't win without Republican votes and there are too many Republicans here who have been convinced by FoxNews that we Dems are the devil.

Plus, I trust Jon Tester.

leftstreet

(40,057 posts)

11. No, Daines is a GOPer

Reply to LaMouffette (Reply #10)

Thu Mar 5, 2026, 01:59 PM

8 hrs ago

The Dems have their own primary

When Daines announced he did it with moments to spare, making it easier for his GOP anointed choice to file. MT GOPers not happy about that.