Matt Rosendale drops Senate bid, citing Trump's endorsement of opponent Tim Sheehy and a 'lack of resources'

Less than a week after announcing a U.S. Senate bid, Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana announced that he is dropping out.

Rosendale, who launched his Senate bid last week on Friday, said in a statement on Thursday that he is abandoning his run due to former President Donald Trump's move to endorse Tim Sheehy. He also noted a "lack of resources."

"As everyone knows, I have planned to run for the US Senate and to win both the primary and the general election. However, the day I announced, President Trump then announced that he was endorsing a different candidate," Rosendale said in the statement.

"I have long been a supporter of the President, and remain so. But I have been forced to calculate what my chances of success would be with Trump supporting my opponent. This race was already going to be tough, as I was fighting against Mitch McConnell and the rest of the Republican establishment in Washington. But I felt like I could beat them, as the voters do not agree with them choosing who would be the next U.S. Senator from Montana," he continued.

"However, by my calculations, with Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep. I spoke with Sen. Daines earlier this week and we both agree that this is the best path forward for Republicans to regain the majority in the U.S. Senate," he noted. "Over the next few days I will be back home in Montana with my family and will prayerfully consider what is next."

While Trump backed Sheehy, others, including GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, had thrown their support behind Rosendale in the primary.

Trump previously endorsed Rosendale for U.S. Senate in 2018, but Rosendale lost that contest to incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who is up for election again this year.

In 2020, Trump endorsed Rosendale in a Republican primary for a House seat that Rosendale ultimately won.

In his statement endorsing Sheehy for Senate last week, Trump said that he would be willing to endorse Rosendale if the lawmaker opted to run for the House.

"I also respect Matt Rosendale, and was very happy to Endorse him in the past - and will Endorse him again in the future should he decide to change course and run for his Congressional Seat. But in this instance, Tim is the candidate who is currently best-positioned to DEFEAT Lazy Jon Tester, and Regain the Republican Majority in the United States Senate," Trump declared.

In a tweet on Thursday, Sheehy said, "Matt, Montana is grateful for your service and for showing Washington, D.C. what it means to hold the line on reckless spending. I know working together we'll win this race and defeat Jon Tester."

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