Trump-endorsed Kurt Alme won the Republican Senate primary in Montana on Tuesday, advancing to the general election in a race that could help Republicans defend their Senate majority.

Alme’s victory came after a dramatic last-minute ballot switch with Sen. Steve Daines, who announced his retirement and recruited Alme as his successor. Daines withdrew from the race just minutes before the filing deadline, a move that drew criticism from some Republicans who called it a backroom deal designed to clear the field. Trump quickly endorsed Alme based on Daines’ strong recommendation.

The former U.S. Attorney now heads into the general election as the clear frontrunner in a state that has shifted significantly to the right in recent years. President Trump carried Montana by 20 points in 2024. While Democrats view the seat as a long shot, they have nominated Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead, who defeated former state Rep. Reilly Neill in the Democratic primary.

Independent candidate Seth Bodnar, the former president of the University of Montana and a former Green Beret, is also running and has positioned himself as a non-partisan alternative. Bodnar has pledged not to caucus with either party and is appealing to Montana’s libertarian streak.

The race is one of roughly a dozen competitive or semi-competitive Senate contests that will help determine whether Republicans maintain their 53-47 majority in the upper chamber. Alme is expected to benefit from strong Republican turnout and President Trump’s continued popularity in the state.