Live Results: Montana midterm primaries

By — Robert Yoon, Associated Press Robert Yoon, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/live-results-montana-midterm-primaries Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Live Results: Montana midterm primaries Politics Jun 2, 2026 9:00 AM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Montana voters will select nominees in Tuesday's state primary to replace departing Republican incumbents in the U.S. Senate and House, but one major contender won't be on the ballot. Meanwhile, several state legislative primaries will highlight divisions within Montana's dominant Republican Party. READ MORE: Trump is getting the Republican candidates he wants, but can he win in the midterms? Republicans hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. Montana has not been at the top of the list of seats Democrats hope to flip to regain control of either body, but the retirements do creak open the door for a candidate to possibly take advantage of the state's independent streak. Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is not seeking a third term. He has endorsed former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme to replace him. Daines' late withdrawal from the race in March and the launch of Alme's candidacy, both timed to occur just before the filing deadline, appeared to be carefully choreographed. President Donald Trump seemed to confirm as much in his endorsement of Alme. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "In fact, if Kurt didn't have the highest level of aptitude and talent, Steve would have remained exactly where he is…." Trump said in a social media post. Alme also has endorsements from the state's other top Republicans, U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy and Gov. Greg Gianforte. He faces Republicans Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child for the nomination. READ MORE: Midterm redistricting has placed millions in new voting districts. Here's where 6 state efforts stand The Democratic field includes former state Rep. Reilly Neill, whose fundraising is five times the combined haul of her four primary rivals. The winners of both primaries will face former University of Montana president Seth Bodnar, who is running as an independent. As of mid-May, Bodnar had outraised the entire field of candidates, regardless of party. Bodnar is one of a handful of independent candidates who have opted to bypass the party primary process and could complicate the general election for some Republican incumbents. In the 1st Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke is not seeking a fourth full term, citing health concerns. He, Trump, Sheehy and Gianforte have endorsed talk radio host and former Zinke congressional staffer Aaron Flint over Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, former state Sen. Al Olszewski and former high school government teacher Ray Curtis. The Democratic field includes former gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse and union organizer Sam