GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale ends reelection bid, after dropping out of Montana Senate race last month

Montana GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale said Friday that he will not continue his run for reelection, citing a death threat and “false and defamatory rumors” about him and his family. The congressman dropped out of the U.S. Senate race for his home state last month. 

“The current attacks have made it impossible for me to focus on my work to serve you,” Rosendale wrote in a statement posted on X. “So, in the best interest of my family and the community, I am withdrawing from the House race and will not be seeking office.” 

Rosendale also wrote that when he began his Senate candidacy, “It became very obvious soon after that announcement that the national support and resources necessary to win that seat were not going to be available to me. I withdrew as soon as possible so as not to jeopardize the opportunity for Republicans to secure that seat and, with it, the majority in the U.S. Senate, which is critical for our country.” 

He later mentioned that after seeking reelection to his House seat, “I have been forced to have law enforcement visit my children because of a death threat against me and false and defamatory rumors against me and my family.” 

Rosendale had ended his Senate campaign less than a week after it launched, following former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his opponent, businessman Tim Sheehy. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also indicated he would be "involved" in the primary to Sheehy's benefit. 

The Montana congressman has served in the House of Representatives for two terms. He voted against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for the speakership at the beginning of this Congress, and Trump reportedly became upset with him for ignoring his phone call on the House floor to support McCarthy, according to NBC News.