Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) said Friday he is no longer seeking re-election to the House after facing “death threats” and “false and defamatory rumors” alleging he impregnated a young staffer. It was announced that there was no.
The Montana Republican was one of eight House Republicans who voted with Democrats to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last October, calling for “real reform.” He claimed that he had suffered “severe retaliation” because of the intention to force him to do so. ‘ he said in parliament.
Rosendale, 63, ended his short-lived Senate campaign last month after former President Donald Trump endorsed his primary opponent. He says that’s when his problems started.
“After withdrawing from that race, at the urging of many people, including several incumbent candidates, I filed to run for re-election to my current seat.” Rosendale said in a statement..
“Since that announcement, death threats against me and false and defamatory rumors against me and my family have forced me to have my children interviewed by law enforcement,” he added. “This has caused serious damage to me and my family.”
Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) said on a podcast last month that she had heard “a little rumor” that the Montana Republican berated a young staffer and might be forced to resign.
“It’s just a rumor, but [the GOP] “The caucus could lose members in the coming days,” Heitkamp said during an appearance on the podcast “Federal Government with Harry Littman.” “Maybe a senator from Montana.”
Heitkamp, 68, who lost re-election in 2018 to Republican Kevin Cramer, went on to suggest that “rumors” were the reason Rosendale called off his Senate campaign just days after announcing his candidacy. .
“It’s a bit of a rumor, but there’s a reason Rosendale withdrew from the Senate race. Rumor has it that he got a 20-year-old staffer pregnant,” Heitkamp claimed.
A spokesperson for Rosendale told the Post at the time that the rumors were “100% false and defamatory” and that Heitkamp would “hear from an attorney soon.”
In his farewell statement, the congressman noted that rumors and death threats had “caused significant disruption to the selection of the next Congressman” for Montana’s 2nd Congressional District.
“For me, public service has always been about serving, not a title or a position of power. The current attacks have distracted me from my work of serving you,” Rosendale said.
“Therefore, in the best interest of my family and community, I am withdrawing from the House race and will not seek public office.”
“It is an honor to serve you all. God bless each and every one of you,” he concluded.
