Speaker Johnson reverses on planned Montana Senate endorsement

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has backed away from his plan to endorse Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) in the widely expected Senate race in Montana, according to a Republican. That’s what it means.

punch bowl news On Thursday morning, it was reported that Prime Minister Johnson plans to support Mr. Rosendale in the long-awaited Senate race. Rosendale, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has not yet entered the race, but multiple reports say he is seeking to challenge Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in Big Sky Country. is reported.

But Rosendale first needs to defeat Republican Tim Sheehy, who is already in the race and has the support of many Republicans on Capitol Hill. Mr. Sheehy is a top recruit to Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and has the support of Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) and other conservatives. obtained.

Had Mr. Johnson initially backed Mr. Rosendale, it would have put him in direct conflict with Mr. Daines and other Republicans who see Mr. Sheehy as having a good chance of defeating Mr. Tester. Rosendale lost to Tester in 2018. The Montana Senate seat is a key priority for Republicans in the 2024 cycle.

But late Thursday, Zinke said Johnson was changing course.

“On reflection, the chair withdrew his support primarily based on the reality that Rosendale was much weaker than Tester,” Zinke said. politiko The congressman’s office made the announcement in a statement confirmed to The Hill.

Greg Steele, communications director for Mr. Johnson’s political campaign, told The Hill in a statement that Mr. Rosendale plans to send donations to Mr. Rosendale, but that he has not formally supported anyone in his campaign. Told.

“The Speaker has pledged to send contributions to Congressman Rosendale, as well as other members and friends, but he has not endorsed any Senate races. He has no particular interest in increasing his House majority. “We’re focused on that,” Steele said.

The Hill has reached out to Rosendale for comment.

Johnson’s withdrawal of support from the Montana Senate race comes as Rosendale is reportedly preparing to formally launch his campaign. washington examiner reported last month that it was considering a launch just before the March application deadline.

Rosendale made several headlines throughout the 118th Congress. He was one of eight Republicans to vote to expel former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October, and previously voted to expel former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) during all 14 House speaker elections. He had withheld support from the Republican Party.