Good news for Republicans…
The Cook Political Report shifted favor towards Republicans in the competitive Montana Senate race.
On Thursday, the “nonpartisan” election forecaster shifted the Democrat-held Montana Senate seat from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss Up,” a major move in the 2024 election as Democrats cling to their slim majority.
Incumbent Sen. John Tester (D) who is seeking his third term in the upper chamber is facing off against Republican Tim Sheehy. Cook Political Report wrote that Tester faces “the toughest uphill climb of any incumbent Democrat.”
“Three-term Sen. Jon Tester may well be Democrats' strongest incumbent this cycle — he still enjoys an approval rating around 60 percent — but the 67-year-old has the toughest uphill climb of any incumbent Democrat, at least purely by the numbers,” Taylor said in her analysis.
Tester's team responded to the shift and said the senator is “no stranger to tough fights,” pointing to their campaign website in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Jon's no stranger to tough fights, and this election will be no different,” Shelbi Dantic, Montanans for Tester campaign manager, told Fox News on the recent rating.
Sheehy's team also released a statement, suggesting that the shift toward the GOP “highlights that Montanans want to elect a political outsider who can bring a new generation of conservative leadership.”
“Tim Sheehy's lead in the potential primary matchup highlights that Montanans want to elect a political outsider who can bring a new generation of conservative leadership and finally defeat Jon Tester next year,” Sheehy's campaign wrote in a press release after the Cook rating dropped. “It's clear that Tim's message on the airwaves showcasing his military leadership as a former Navy SEAL and businessman and aerial firefighter is resonating with Republican primary voters in Montana.”
Democrats will be defending 23 of the 34 Senate seats next cycle, and Montana is set to play a key role in determining control of the Senate.
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