Former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme officially filed Wednesday to run for the U.S. Senate in Montana’s 2026 election, launching his campaign the same day Republican Sen. Steve Daines abruptly withdrew from the race and endorsed him.

Alme entered the contest with immediate support from several prominent Republican figures, including Donald Trump, Sen. Tim Sheehy and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte. His filing came on the final day candidates could enter the race for the November election.

Daines’ last-minute decision to withdraw surprised many political observers. The senator quickly threw his support behind Alme, praising his record as a federal prosecutor and describing him as a strong candidate to carry the seat for Republicans.

Alme previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of Montana during both of Trump’s administrations. He first held the position from 2017 to 2020 and returned to the role in 2025 after being nominated by Trump and confirmed again by the Senate. His campaign announcement highlighted his work targeting drug trafficking, violent crime and fentanyl distribution networks across the state.

“I am proud to announce my candidacy for the United States Senate to represent the great state of Montana,” Alme said in a statement announcing his campaign. “As a native Montanan, I have always been committed to serving our communities, upholding the rule of law, and fighting for the safety and prosperity of every family in our state.”

Alme emphasized his law-enforcement record, saying he worked closely with federal and local officials to dismantle criminal organizations trafficking methamphetamine, opioids and fentanyl. He also pointed to his experience in state government, noting that he served as budget director for Gianforte during the governor’s first legislative session.

During that time, Alme said he worked with Republican lawmakers to pass a fiscally conservative state budget, maintain strong financial reserves and approve approximately $60 million in annual tax cuts.

In statements released by the campaign, Trump praised Alme and offered his “complete and total endorsement.” Daines similarly highlighted Alme’s record as U.S. attorney, saying he led major law-enforcement initiatives to combat drugs and violent crime across Montana.

Sheehy and Gianforte also backed the campaign, pointing to Alme’s public-service background and describing him as a strong advocate for law enforcement and conservative policies.

Alme enters the race as several other candidates have already filed. Former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar announced Wednesday that he will run as an independent. Additional Republican candidates include Charles Walking Child and Lee Calhoun, while five Democrats and two Libertarians also filed before the deadline.

Political analysts have generally viewed Montana’s 2026 Senate contest as favorable to Republicans. However, some observers shifted the race rating to “lean Republican” shortly after Daines’ withdrawal and the reshaping of the field.