A Sly Political Switcheroo Stuns Montana. 4:52pm ally of incumbent files to run, at 4:57 incumbent withdraws

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

GOP sure don't believe in democracy

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/us/politics/steve-daines-montana-senate-alme.html


A Sly Political Switcheroo Stuns Montana and Starts a New Senate Fight
Minutes before the Senate filing deadline, Senator Steve Daines withdrew his re-election bid and an ally jumped in. Even some fellow Republicans criticized the 11th-hour switch.

At 4:52 p.m. in Montana, Kurt Alme, the state’s top federal prosecutor and a Republican, filed to run for Senate.

At 4:57 p.m., Senator Steve Daines of Montana, a fellow Republican and an ally of Mr. Alme, withdrew his name from contention.

At 5 p.m., the deadline for getting on or off the ballot passed.

Finally, at 5:02 p.m., a smiling, Carhartt-clad Mr. Daines broke the news to the world with a video of himself standing in front of snowcapped mountains, a tranquil backdrop for his shocking announcement: “After much careful thought, I’ve decided not to seek re-election.”

The eleventh-hour switcheroo on Wednesday appeared to be an effort by Mr. Daines to clear the field for his preferred candidate, Mr. Alme, whom he endorsed in his retirement announcement. President Trump, Gov. Greg Gianforte and Senator Tim Sheehy, the state’s other senator, also immediately endorsed Mr. Alme, who had been the U.S. attorney for Montana but had to resign to run for office under the Hatch Act.

[Prairie Gates]

1. So, basically, Alme refused to resign and run unless had was absolutely assured on no primary opponent

And he wouldn't resign from a position for which he could, theoretically, be immediately renominated and confirmed.

Sounds like a totally above-board candidate with no skeletons in his closet at all. Couldn't even withstand a primary vetting as the MAGA candidate in...Montana?

An enterprising journalist might be tempted to start digging.