Trump-backed Navy SEAL veteran Tim Sheehy (R) defeats third-term Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in Montana, strengthening Republican Senate majority in next Congress did.
The Associated Press called Sheehy's race early Wednesday morning. As of 6:38 a.m. ET, C.I. collected 53% of votes, 45% of testers, 85% of votes reportedaccording to the New York Times.
Sheehy is a decorated military veteran and business owner. He founded Bridger Aerospace, an aerial firefighting company that employs more than 200 Montanans, and its sister company Ascent Vision Technologies.
He won the support of President-elect Donald Trump in the Republican primary.
Trump wrote at the time.
Tim Sheehy is an American hero and highly successful businessman from Montana. He is strongly supported by many patriotic senators and Republicans who have supported our campaign to Make America Great Again, including our wonderful NRSC Chairman Steve Daines.
Sheehy thanked President Trump in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News.
“First of all, of course, I'm very honored to have President Trump's support,” said Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL. “We have supported him since before the campaign began. We have strongly expressed our support for the America First policies and policies he masterfully enacted during his time in the White House.”
Following the wins of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Gov. Jim Justice (R-West Virginia) won over the outgoing senator. , Mr. Sheehy's victory over establishment Democrats gave the Republicans a new majority. In West Virginia, Joe Manchin (West Virginia) secured his seat, and in Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno ousted Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
This would give Republicans a minimum of 52 seats in the 119th Congress, allowing them to win more seats.
Republicans will seek to gain further majorities in a number of other key Senate races, including seats in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona currently held by Democrats. . None of these races have yet been called and are highly contested for Republican candidates.
