Former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy has defeated three-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in the Montana Senate race, upending a key race in which Republicans are trying to make a comeback. control of the senatea project of the Associated Press.
His victory would increase the Republican majority in the Senate to at least 52 seats, according to Associated Press projections.
All eyes will be on the fierce Senate race in the Big Sky state, pitting third-term Sen. Tester, the only Democrat elected statewide in Montana, against Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and businessman. We gathered.
Early in the cycle, the Montana race was seen as one of the best electoral opportunities for Republicans and one of the weakest seats for Democrats in the 2024 cycle.
Sheehy began his Senate bid in June 2023 on a Fox News digital exclusive, calling for “a new generation of leaders to step up” in Congress to oust the red-state Democratic Party.
Montana Senate race could be Republicans' best shot at tipping the balance of power
Sen. Jon Tester (left) and Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. (Getty Images/Senator Sheehy)
Shortly after announcing his candidacy, the Navy SEALs announced their candidacy, including Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, It received support from prominent Republicans, including Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina and Sen. Markwayne Mullin of North Carolina. Bill Haggerty and Marsha Blackburn of Oklahoma, Tennessee, and John Barrasso of Wyoming.
Before entering politics, Sheehy served in Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and the Pacific region, receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for heroism in combat. In addition to owning multiple businesses, the veteran has four children with his wife, Carmen Sheehy, a Marine veteran.
Montana could decide Senate decision
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Sheehy in February, calling him an “American hero” after Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale launched a short-lived bid for the seat.
U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy from Montana speaks during the second day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)
Tester, a former school teacher, was first elected to the Montana State Senate in 2006. The Democrat owns a family farm in Big Sandy, where he lives with his wife, Sharla.
Tester took more moderate positions on issues during his time in the Senate and has publicly broken with the Biden-Harris administration on several issues over the years. Democrats withheld their support for Vice President Kamala Harris after she became the party's nominee.
Tester had criticized Sheehy throughout the campaign, but the latest polls leading up to Election Day showed the Republican candidate leading the race.
Just two months before Election Day, the top two political handicappers swung the Senate race in Sheehy's favor.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester prepares to debate Republican challenger Tim Sheehy on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. (Missourian)
The Cook Political Report, an independent, nonpartisan election handicapper, recently changed the race from “leaning” to “leaning Republican,” and Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics called the race “leaning Republican.” It was changed to “Republican-leaning.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Democrats hold 23 seats in the Senate this term, more than twice as many as Republicans, who hold 10 seats.
