Rep. Ryan Zinke may face little opposition in the June 4 primary, but could face a challenge in the fall. Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Rosendale’s retirement has sparked a heated race in a red district.
When Rep. Matt Rosendale withdrew from the 2024 Republican U.S. Senate primary in April, Tim Sheehy emerged as the frontrunner to challenge Sen. John Tester in November. Rosendale’s decision not to seek another term in Montana’s Congressional District 2 (CD 2) has opened the door to a competitive race among Republican candidates in this traditionally red district.
Ten GOP hopefuls are vying for the party’s nomination in Montana’s June 4 primary in CD 2, which was established after the 2020 Census. The Republican nominee is expected to easily defeat the Democratic primary winner in CD 2, which is rated as “solid Republican” by Cook Political Reports.
In contrast, in CD 1, Rep. Ryan Zinke faces minimal opposition in the June 4 primary but will have to contend with Democrat Monica Tranel in the general election. Tranel, an attorney and former Olympic rower, has raised over $2.336 million according to her recent FEC filing.
Zinke, a former Navy SEAL and Secretary of the Interior in the Trump administration, has raised more than $8.1 million for his re-election campaign. He will face Kalispell pastor Mary Todd in the Republican primary.
The preliminary party races in CD 2 are expected to be closely watched on June 4, with the potential return of former Rep. Denny Rehberg adding intrigue to the race. Rehberg, a Freedom Caucus member, is challenging Montana State Auditor Troy Downing for the nomination.
Downing currently holds a lead in the polls and fundraising, with support from veterans and a focus on public lands, agriculture, and national security. The Democratic candidates in CD 2 face an uphill battle in the general election, with fourth-generation rancher Steve Held among those running.
Overall, the races in Montana’s congressional districts are shaping up to be competitive and closely watched as the primary and general elections approach. Please rewrite the following sentence:
“The cat chased the mouse through the house.”
“The mouse was chased by the cat around the house.”
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