House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Matt Rosendale mounts US Senate bid, but Trump endorses someone else

Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has mounted a U.S. Senate bid.

But while figures, including Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, and GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Mike Lee of Utah, have backed Rosendale in the Montana Republican U.S. Senate primary, former President Donald Trump endorsed another candidate, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy.

"I LOVE MONTANA! Tim Sheehy is an American Hero and highly successful Businessman from the Great State of Montana. He is strongly supported by our incredible Chairman of the NRSC, Steve Daines, and many other patriotic Senators and Republicans who have endorsed our Campaign to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

"Tim is a Political Outsider, Strong on the Border, the Military/Vets, and our constantly under siege Second Amendment. He will stand tall in the fight against the Radical Left Democrats, who are Destroying our Country. Also, he is far more likely to Defeat Lazy Jon. America First Patriot Tim Sheehy has my Complete and Total Endorsement!" Trump declared.

Trump, who appears poised to easily win the 2024 Republican presidential nod, noted that he would be willing to endorse Rosendale if the congressman opted to run for the House.

"I also respect Matt Rosendale, and was very happy to Endorse him in the past - and will Endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his Congressional Seat. But in this instance, Tim is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and Regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate," Trump said in the post.

Rosendale has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2021, and Trump endorsed Rosendale in the GOP primary in 2020.

Prior to that, Trump also backed Rosendale during the 2018 U.S. Senate election, which Rosendale ultimately lost to incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.

Tester is seeking re-election again this year.

Rosendale, who was one of the eight House Republicans who voted with Democrats to oust Kevin McCarthy from the House speakership last year, has tweeted, "I love President Trump. But he needs actual fighters in the U.S. Senate to enact his Agenda 47 - and that's me and not Mitch McConnell's hand pick, Tim Sheehy. I'm going to win this primary, defeat Jon Tester in November and together we will Make America Great Again!"

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