蒙大拿州资深参议员原本被广泛认为将在该州（特朗普2024年以近20个百分点优势获胜）成功连任第三任期
作者：亚历克斯·米勒、伊丽莎白·埃尔金德
福克斯新闻
发布时间：2026年3月4日 美国东部时间晚上8:50
据福克斯新闻数字版确认的三位消息人士透露，来自蒙大拿州的共和党参议员史蒂夫·戴恩斯（Steve Daines）将不寻求连任，在蒙大拿州（”宝藏之州”）周三参选截止时间前几分钟决定退出参议院竞逐。
这位蒙大拿州资深参议员目前担任第二任期，原本被广泛看好将在”蓝天之州”（Big Sky Country）赢得第三个任期——2024年唐纳德·特朗普总统在此以近20个百分点优势获胜。他此前曾在众议院任职两期，之后才晋升至参议院。
戴恩斯在那次选举周期中担任国家共和党参议院委员会主席，发挥了关键作用，帮助共和党重新夺回参议院多数席位。他还支持蒙大拿州共和党参议员蒂姆·希伊（Tim Sheehy），在与前参议员、民主党人乔恩·泰斯特（Jon Tester）的艰难竞选中提供支持，助力共和党掌控华盛顿全面控制权。
这位议员在视频声明中表示，经过”深思熟虑”，他”决定不寻求连任”。
他感谢妻子辛迪（Cindy），并指出过去13年来，她”大多数周一凌晨5点都会无私地送我到机场，往返华盛顿特区”。
“而且，我和辛迪期待开启新篇章，比如陪伴七个孙辈，更多时间留在蒙大拿州，并继续发挥影响力。”
随着戴恩斯决定离开参议院，共和党将需保住该席位。蒙大拿州初选定于6月2日举行。
共和党议员提前退休传闻在众议院共和党人中掀起冲击波
据蒙大拿州州务卿办公室信息，蒙大拿州美国检察官库尔特·阿尔梅（Kurt Alme）在戴恩斯退选前几分钟才提交参选文件。周三早些时候，前蒙大拿大学总裁 Seth Bodnar 以独立候选人身份宣布参选。
特朗普迅速在 Truth Social 平台上称赞戴恩斯并支持阿尔梅：
“来自蒙大拿州的史蒂夫·戴恩斯是我们真正伟大的美国参议员之一。他光荣地在参议院服务12年，众议院服务2年。他完成了许多人无法企及的工作，但遗憾的是，史蒂夫的任期即将结束，他决定离开参议院，’将火炬传递给库尔特·阿尔梅’——我支持的’特朗普45’和’特朗普47’号美国检察官。”
“史诗般愤怒行动”挺过参议院挑战，共和党人团结支持特朗普
民主党方面有三位候选人也在初选阵营中角逐：阿拉尼·班克黑德（Alani Bankhead）、莱利·尼尔（Reilly Neill）和迈克尔·布莱克沃尔夫（Michael Blackwolf）。
参议院民主党竞选机构（民主党参议院竞选委员会）发言人在声明中告诉福克斯新闻数字版：”2026年共和党中期选举前景黯淡，又一位参议员选择临阵脱逃。”
“史蒂夫·戴恩斯正加入越来越多选择放弃的同事行列，而非捍卫其有害记录。这一消息是给所有共和党参议员的最新警示：你们的职位并不安全，要么退休要么落选。”
戴恩斯决定离职前，蒙大拿州共和党众议员瑞安·津克（Ryan Zinke）已宣布计划退出众议院。
津克称因作为海豹突击队员受伤后接受的几次未公开手术而决定退休。
“我的判断和经验告诉我，对蒙大拿和美国而言，国会需要全职代表，而非冒着缺席和错过投票的风险。”津克表示。
他的开放初选已吸引多名蒙大拿州共和党人，包括州务卿克里斯蒂·雅各布森（Christi Jacobsen）和保守派电台主持人亚伦·弗林特（Aaron Flint），二人迅速获得津克和特朗普的背书。
亚历克斯·米勒是福克斯新闻数字版报道美国参议院的记者。
（注：文中加粗部分为原文排版格式保留，未进行额外翻译处理）
Top Trump ally Steve Daines exits Montana Senate race, plans to retire
Montana’s senior senator was widely expected to secure a third term in the state Trump won by nearly 20 points
By Alex Miller, Elizabeth Elkind
Fox News
Published March 4, 2026 8:50pm EST
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., will not seek re-election, opting to leave the Senate just minutes before Wednesday’s filing deadline in the Treasure State, three sources confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Montana’s senior senator is serving his second term and was widely expected to secure a third in Big Sky Country, where President Donald Trump won by nearly 20 points in 2024. He previously served two terms in the House before making the leap to the upper chamber.
Daines played a key role during that election cycle as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, helping Republicans regain a majority in the upper chamber. He also backed Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., in a grueling race against former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, helping the GOP secure unified control of Washington.
The lawmaker said in a video statement that after “much careful thought, I’ve decided not to seek re-election.”
He thanked his wife, Cindy, and noted that, for the last 13 years, she “has selflessly dropped me off at the airport at 5 a.m. on most Mondays for that commute back to D.C.
“And, together, Cindy and I look forward to the next chapter, like cherishing moments with seven grandchildren, spending a bit more time in Montana and continuing to make a difference.”
With Daines set to leave the Senate, Republicans will now look to hold the seat. Montana’s primary election is scheduled for June 2.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS’ EARLY RETIREMENT RUMORS SEND SHOCK WAVES THROUGH HOUSE GOP
Montana U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme filed just minutes before Daines withdrew from the race, according to the Montana secretary of state. Earlier Wednesday, former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar entered the race as an independent.
Trump wasted no time lauding Daines and swiftly backing Alme in a post on Truth Social.
“Steve Daines, of Montana, is one of our truly Great United States Senators,” Trump said. “He honorably served for 12 years in the Senate, and 2 in the House of Representatives. He did a job like few others are capable of doing but, sadly for our Country, Steve’s Term is up, and he has decided to leave the Senate and, ‘pass the torch’ to Kurt Alme, my TRUMP 45 and TRUMP 47 U.S. Attorney.”
OPERATION EPIC FURY SURVIVES SENATE CHALLENGE AS REPUBLICANS CLOSE RANKS BEHIND TRUMP
Three Democrats are also running on the opposite side of the primary field: Alani Bankhead, Reilly Neill and Michael Blackwolf.
A spokesperson for the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told Fox News Digital in a statement that “Republicans’ midterm prospects are so bleak in 2026 that yet another senator is running for the hills.”
“Steve Daines is joining more and more of his colleagues in deciding to throw in the towel rather than defend their toxic record,” it said. “This news is the latest flashing warning sign to all GOP senators: Your jobs are not safe, retire or lose.”
Daines’ departure comes after Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., announced he plans to retire from the House.
Zinke cited several undisclosed surgeries stemming from injuries he suffered as a Navy SEAL.
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“My judgment and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absence and missed votes,” Zinke said.
His open primary has already attracted several Montana Republicans, including Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and conservative radio host Aaron Flint, who swiftly earned the endorsements of Zinke and Trump.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
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