United States Senate election in Montana, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)

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U.S. Senate, Montana
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 11, 2024
Primary: June 4, 2024
General: November 5, 2024
Pre-election incumbent:
Jon Tester (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Montana
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Likely Republican
Inside Elections: Tilt Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2024
See also
U.S. Senate, Montana
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd
Montana elections, 2024
U.S. Congress elections, 2024
U.S. Senate elections, 2024
U.S. House elections, 2024

A Republican Party primary took place on June 4, 2024, in Montana to determine which Republican candidate would run in the state's general election on November 5, 2024.

Tim Sheehy advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana.

Thirty-four of 100 seats in the U.S. Senate were up for election in 2024, including one special election. At the time of the election, Democrats had a 51-49 majority.[1] Of the seats up for election in 2024, Democrats held 19, Republicans held 11, and independents held four. As of May 2024, eight members of the U.S. Senate had announced they were not running for re-election.

Candidate filing deadline Primary election General election
March 11, 2024
June 4, 2024
November 5, 2024


Heading into the election, the incumbent was Jon Tester (Democrat), who was first elected in 2006.

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Montana utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[2]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

This page focuses on Montana's United States Senate Republican primary. For more in-depth information on the state's Democratic primary and the general election, see the following pages:

Candidates and election results

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana

Tim Sheehy defeated Brad Johnson and Charles A. Walking Child in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Montana on June 4, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Tim Sheehy
Tim Sheehy
 
73.6
 
139,857
Image of Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson
 
19.4
 
36,926
Image of Charles A. Walking Child
Charles A. Walking Child Candidate Connection
 
7.0
 
13,229

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 190,012
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Tim Sheehy

Image of Tim Sheehy

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Sheehy received a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served in the U.S. Navy as a SEAL officer and team leader and worked as a CEO and founder of Ascent Vision Technologies and Bridger Aerospace.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

On energy production, Sheehy's website said he supported repealing Environmental Protection Agency regulations he believed increase energy prices. It said, "We are blessed here with abundant coal, minerals, timber and grasslands – let’s make sure Montana producers come first. We should be able to responsibly develop those resources here at home to create more high-paying jobs, lower energy costs, and support our communities, all while protecting the environment."

On immigration, Sheehy's campaign website said, "The result of an open southern border is more crime and drugs flooding into our country and into our Montana communities. We need to take a strong stand and secure our border, finish the wall, and finally put an end to illegal immigration once and for all."

Sheehy's website said he would support reducing government spending. Sheehy said, "I’m committed to ensuring that politicians who fail to pass a balanced budget don’t get paid because our country’s economic security should never be jeopardized for the sake of politics. You are not allowed to run your business that way, and they shouldn’t be allowed to run our nation that way."

Show sources

Sources: Tim Sheehy Campaign Website, "On the Issues," accessed July 23, 2024; Linkedin, "Tim Sheehy," accessed July 23, 2024

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Montana in 2024.

Charles A. Walking Child

Image of Charles A. Walking Child

Facebook

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "My name is Charles WalkingChild, I was born and raised in GreatFalls, Montana in a small native community called Hill 57. As a child, I grew up in a railroad boxcar while also sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I was born to the Anishinabe (Ojibwe) and Cree bands on my mother's side, and Blackfeet on my fathers. During my humble beginnings, I would haul water and chop wood. One of my resources for education at the time was sitting in an outhouse and reading the newspaper; after reading the newspaper I would put it toward productive use. I am of chief descent from all tribes, as a child, my grandfather Charles WalkingChild would educate me about my Cree lineage and my Grandmother's Agnus and Babe Gopher would educate me about my Ojibwe lineage which was translated through my uncle Larry WalkingChild because they did not speak English. Growing up, I only saw my father a handful of times. I do not blame him for his absence though, because as a child attended boarding school and suffered abuse. However, his father Dave Wells Sr., and Earl Old Person would come and visit my grandfather Charles. I would sit there as a child and observe them communicate through native sign language; they informed me I was of chief descent. I graduated high school from CMR, and I later went on to graduate college from the University of GreatFalls and the University of Montana. Eventually, I began my own company and worked for myself for the past 20 years."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Since the formation of this country, travelers from the East had come to this continent to form a government. This government had a foundation layout inspired from the Iroquois nation. Today, the corporations in not just Montana but America have been given more power and are now controlling the people. I would like to rescind the revised 1992 constitution and conform back to the principles of the 1776 Constitution.

I believe it is critical to support local businesses and farmers and ranchers. I would introduce bills to reinstate individual rights and ownership to small farmers and ranchers to produce and sell their product locally to bring the price of food production down. This will prevent the rich from controlling the food chain.

I would also introduce a bill that would allow every Montanan working in the Service Industry to afford a home. The American Dream no longer exists for our children, grandchildren, and future generations due to large corporations skyrocketing the cost of owning a home.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Montana in 2024.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Montana

Election information in Montana: June 4, 2024, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

  • In-person: June 4, 2024
  • By mail: Postmarked by May 6, 2024
  • Online: N/A

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

  • In-person: June 3, 2024
  • By mail: N/A by N/A
  • Online: N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

  • In-person: June 4, 2024
  • By mail: Received by June 4, 2024

Was early voting available to all voters?

N/A

What were the early voting start and end dates?

May 6, 2024 to June 3, 2024

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (MST)


Noteworthy endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.


Republican primary endorsements
Endorser Republican Party Matt Rosendale Republican Party Tim Sheehy
Government officials
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R)  source ✔  
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R)  source ✔  
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Sen J.D. Vance (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R)  source ✔  
U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R)  source ✔  
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R)  source ✔  
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R)  source   ✔
U.S. Rep. Ryan K. Zinke (R)  source   ✔
Gov. Doug Burgum  source   ✔
Gov. Greg Gianforte (R)  source   ✔
Gov. Kristi L. Noem  source   ✔
State Sen. Jason Ellsworth (R)  source ✔  
State Sen. Theresa Manzella (R)  source ✔  
State Rep. Steven Galloway (R)  source ✔  
State Rep. Matt Regier (R)  source ✔  
Individuals
Frmr. U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich  source   ✔
Former President Donald Trump  source   ✔
Organizations
Americans for Prosperity  source   ✔
Gun Owners of America  source ✔  
Montanans for Limited Government  source ✔  
Patriot Parents  source   ✔
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America  source   ✔

Noteworthy events

Rosendale announces campaign, drops out (2024)

On February 9, 2024, U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) announced he would run for Senate, saying “We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate. Montanans want a Senator that fights for WE, THE PEOPLE, not the D.C. Cartel” in a tweet announcing his candidacy.”[3]

Rosendale withdrew from the race days later, on February 15, 2024, saying “By my calculations, with Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep.”[4]

Shortly after Rosendale announced his candidacy for Senate, Trump endorsed candidate Tim Sheehy (R), a business owner and former Navy SEAL who announced his candidacy for Senate in 2023. In a post on Truth Social announcing his endorsement, Trump said “Tim is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and Regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate. Tim is a Political Outsider, Strong on the Border, the Military/Vets, and our constantly under siege Second Amendment.”[5]

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Brad Johnson Republican Party $38,786 $35,694 $3,092 As of March 31, 2024
Tim Sheehy Republican Party $30,010,525 $28,624,278 $1,386,246 As of December 31, 2024
Charles A. Walking Child Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Montana in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Montana, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Montana U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party N/A N/A $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 3/11/2024 Source
Montana U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 12,694 5% of total votes cast for successful candidate in the last general election $1,740.00 1% of annual salary 6/3/2024 Source

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
  • Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
  • State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
  • Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.


See also: Presidential voting trends in Montana and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Montana, 2024
District Incumbent Party PVI
Montana's 1st Ryan Zinke Ends.png Republican R+6
Montana's 2nd Matt Rosendale Ends.png Republican R+16


2020 presidential results by 2024 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2024 district lines, Montana[6]
District Joe Biden Democratic Party Donald Trump Republican Party
Montana's 1st 45.3% 52.2%
Montana's 2nd 35.3% 62.2%


2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:


Following the 2020 presidential election, 68.4% of Montanans lived in one of the state's 47 Solid Republican counties, which voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 17.5% lived in one of five Solid Democratic counties. Overall, Montana was Solid Republican, having voted for Mitt Romney (R) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Donald Trump (R) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Montana following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Historical voting trends

Montana presidential election results (1900-2020)

  • 10 Democratic wins
  • 21 Republican wins
Year 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Winning Party D R R D D R R R D D D D D R R R D R R R R R R D R R R R R R R

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Montana

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Montana.

U.S. Senate election results in Montana
Race Winner Runner up
2020 55.0%Republican Party 45.0%Democratic Party
2018 50.3%Democratic Party 46.8%Republican Party
2014 57.8%Republican Party 40.1%Democratic Party
2012 48.6%Democratic Party 44.9%Republican Party
2008 72.9%Democratic Party 27.1%Republican Party
Average 56.9 40.8

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Montana

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Montana.

Gubernatorial election results in Montana
Race Winner Runner up
2020 54.4%Republican Party 40.7%Democratic Party
2016 50.2%Democratic Party 48.3%Republican Party
2012 48.9%Democratic Party 47.3%Republican Party
2008 65.5%Democratic Party 32.5%Republican Party
2004 50.4%Democratic Party 46.0%Republican Party
Average 53.9 43.0
See also: Party control of Montana state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Montana's congressional delegation as of May 2024.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Montana
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 0 0 0
Republican 2 2 4
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 2 4

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Montana's top four state executive offices as of May 2024.

State executive officials in Montana, May 2024
Office Officeholder
Governor Republican Party Greg Gianforte
Lieutenant Governor Republican Party Kristen Juras
Secretary of State Republican Party Christi Jacobsen
Attorney General Republican Party Austin Knudsen

State legislature

Montana State Senate

Party As of February 2024
     Democratic Party 16
     Republican Party 34
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 50

Montana House of Representatives

Party As of February 2024
     Democratic Party 32
     Republican Party 68
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 100

Trifecta control

The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.

Montana Party Control: 1992-2024
No Democratic trifectas  •  Fourteen years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Governor R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R
Senate D D D R R R R R R R R R R D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D R R R R R R R R R R R R S S R R S S R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

The table below details demographic data in Montana and compares it to the broader United States as of 2022.

Demographic Data for Montana
Montana United States
Population 1,084,225 331,449,281
Land area (sq mi) 145,549 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White 86.4% 65.9%
Black/African American 0.6% 12.5%
Asian 0.8% 5.8%
Native American 5.8% 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.2%
Other (single race) 1.1% 6%
Multiple 5.2% 8.8%
Hispanic/Latino 4.2% 18.7%
Education
High school graduation rate 94.5% 89.1%
College graduation rate 34% 34.3%
Income
Median household income $66,341 $75,149
Persons below poverty level 7.3% 8.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2017-2022).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Two Independents caucused with the Democratic Party. Another independent, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, counted toward the Democratic majority for committee purposes.
  2. ↑ Montana Legislature, "Mont. Code Ann. § 13–10–301," accessed October 21, 2025
  3. ↑ Twitter, "Matt Rosendale," accessed February 16, 2024
  4. ↑ Politico, "Rosendale drops Montana Senate bid — after less than a week," accessed February 16, 2024
  5. ↑ Truth Social, "Donald J. Trump," accessed February 16, 2024
  6. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed December 15, 2023


Montana's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Steve Daines (R)
Tim Sheehy (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Republican Party (4)


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