On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Jon Tester, who is the sole Democrat in Montana’s statewide elected positions, announced his intention to run for a fourth term in the 2024 elections.
Tester’s campaign released a statement emphasizing his deep-rooted connection to farming and his understanding of the challenges faced by working families in Montana. As a third-generation farmer, he farms the same land his grandparents settled over a century ago. The statement also highlights his commitment to fight for Montanans, advocating for veterans’ rights and lower costs, while calling on Washington to actively support these causes.
Tester’s campaign, Montanans for Tester, also cited a January Morning Consult poll that ranked him the eighth-most popular U.S. senator in the nation, with a 60% approval and 30% disapproval rating. Nevertheless, political observers regard Tester as vulnerable heading into the 2024 election given that Republicans won every partisan statewide race on the Montana ballot in 2020 and 2022.
In a statement, Steve Daines, the junior U.S. senator from Montana and chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, criticized Tester by drawing a parallel to former Montana Governor Steve Bullock’s unsuccessful Senate campaign.
According to Daines, Jon Tester has repeated the same error as Steve Bullock did in 2020. Both individuals should have chosen to conclude their political careers on their own terms. However, Montana voters will now be the ones to bring an end to their political journeys. Daines argues that Jon’s endorsement of Joe Biden’s detrimental agenda, which includes open borders, excessive spending, and substantial tax increases, is a serious offense that warrants termination.
The “disastrous policies” were also attributed to Tester’s collaboration with the Democratic president, according to the Montana Republican Party.
In a statement, Don Kaltschmidt, Chairman of the Montana Republican Party, expressed that the Biden-Tester agenda has resulted in detrimental consequences for Montana communities. He emphasized the negative impacts such as escalating prices, increased taxes, and unrestricted borders. Kaltschmidt further emphasized that these actions do not align with the values of Montana and predicted that voters will strongly convey their dissatisfaction in the upcoming November elections.
Tester has been a key player in Democratic President Joe Biden’s major legislative priorities, including the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, major spending measures that Republicans have criticized for increasing the federal deficit and driving up inflation. However, as he pointed out in an address to the state Legislature this week, he’s also criticized the president for his approach to the southern border and other issues.
According to political news site FiveThirtyEight, Tester has supported policies backed by Biden 91% of the time, making him one of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate with the third-lowest percentage. On the other hand, Daines has only voted in line with the Democratic president 32% of the time.
On Wednesday, the Montana Democratic Party affirmed that Tester would uphold and safeguard “the cherished values of Montana.”
Montana Democratic Party Chair Robyn Driscoll stated that instead of Republicans who have a lineup of unsuccessful candidates competing against each other in a primary, Jon is dedicated to advocating for our veterans, reducing expenses for Montana workers and families, and ensuring Washington is held responsible. This is precisely why voters will choose to re-elect Jon, who is the sole active farmer in the Senate, in 2024.
Both of Montana’s U.S. representatives, Republicans Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale, are potential challengers for Tester’s seat, though neither has officially announced a campaign.
Tester was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 and won reelection in 2012 and 2018, most recently on a 50%-47% margin against a challenge from Rosendale.
