Rosendale suspends House race, will not seek re-election in Montana: ‘Taken a serious toll on me’

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., will not seek re-election in Montana’s 2nd Congressional District, pointing to “current attacks” against him as the reason for deciding to exit the race. 

Rosendale entered the Montana Senate race in February after months of speculation he was planning to enter the race, but he suddenly dropped out less than a week after his announcement. 

The congressman then filed to run for re-election in his Montana district, but he announced Friday he will not be running for another term.

“Since that announcement, 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 said in a statement announcing his campaign suspension. “This has taken a serious toll on me, and my family. Additionally, it has caused a serious disruption to the election of the next representative for MT-02.”

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Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., will not seek re-election in Montana in 2024. (Tom Williams)

“To me, public service has truly always been about serving, not titles or positions of power. The current attacks have made it impossible for me to focus on my work to serve you,” Rosendale continued. “So in the best interest of my family and community, I am withdrawing from the house race and will not be seeking office.”

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Rosendale added that “it has been my honor to serve you and may God bless each and every one of you.”

Matt Rosendale delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the third day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 05, 2023 in Washington, DC.  (Win McNamee)

Rosendale’s exit leaves the Montana seat open in 2025, as Republicans attempt to hold onto their already slim majority in the House.

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In the running for Rosendale’s now open Montana seat include State Auditor Troy Downing, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, former Montana State Senator Ric Holden and former DEA agent Stacy Zinn.