HELENA — The race for the Republican nomination in Montana’s U.S. Senate race wasn’t expected to get much attention – until everything changed a few minutes before the filing deadline. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Kurt Alme, Montana’s former U.S. attorney.

(Watch the video to hear from the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate.)

A look at the GOP field for U.S. Senate in Montana

Alme told MTN he first learned Daines was considering leaving the Senate only a few days before the end of the state’s candidate filing period.

“Sen. Daines called and shared that he and Cindy would like to retire, but they were concerned about losing the seat and the Senate to the Democrats, so he said he would only step down if someone like me would agree to step up and run,” he said. “So because of the importance of maintaining the seat for the Republicans, I told the senator that if he were to decide to retire, that we would be interested in stepping up.”

Alme resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on March 4, the last day of candidate filing. He officially filed to run for Senate at 4:52 p.m., eight minutes before the deadline. Daines withdrew his candidacy at 4:57 p.m., then quickly endorsed Alme. Alme also received support from Montana’s other U.S. senator, Sen. Tim Sheehy, as well as from Gov. Greg Gianforte.

MTN asked Alme if he felt there was any frustration from voters over the last-minute switch. He echoed Daines’ explanation of the move, saying it was intended to keep a big-name Democratic candidate like former Sen. Jon Tester or former Gov. Steve Bullock from entering the race and bringing in large amounts of campaign spending.
“All I’m focusing on is the race we have in front of us and trying to get to the finish line and be sure we represent the people of Montana well, and do everything we can to earn their vote,” said Alme.

Alme, 59, was born in Great Falls and lived in Dillon, Victor and Helena before graduating high school in Miles City. Today he lives in Billings. He describes himself as a “commonsense conservative.” This is his first time running for elected office, though he has spent a number of years working in government – and he says he’ll lean on that experience as he pursues his policy priorities.

Trump appointed Alme as Montana’s U.S. attorney in 2017, and he served through the end 2020. When Trump returned to the White House in 2025, he reappointed him.

“This last year, we had focused our team on violent criminals and drug traffickers, and we had prosecuted more defendants last year than we had prosecuted in more than 20 years,” he said.

In addition to public safety, Alme says he’s also prepared to tackle affordability. He served as director of the Montana Department of Revenue under Gov. Judy Martz in the early 2000s, and he was Gianforte’s first state budget director in 2021.

“I learned how to balanced budgets, and I learned how to put money back into the pockets of Montanans,” he said.
Alme also spent time as president of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation and as an executive vice president with the National Christian Foundation.

While Alme comes into the Senate race with by far the most backing from top Republicans, it is still a contested primary for the GOP nomination. Two other Republican candidates also filed to run on the afternoon of March 4.

Jonathon Ambarian

Lee Calhoun, a political newcomer from Whitefish, filed when Daines was still in the race. He told MTN he wanted to challenge Daines because he believed the senator’s policies favored big business. While Daines’ decision to drop out took away his biggest reason for running, he said the candidate switch led him to believe Alme wouldn’t be significantly different.

“A lot of people in Montana are really not pleased with that well-orchestrated song and dance that was pulled off,” said Calhoun.

However, Calhoun admits his chance of being elected is “very slim.” He says he has essentially suspended active campaigning, because he wasn’t able to find the campaign staff to support a more robust run. His campaign website is merely a blank page reading “Coming Soon,” and he says he won’t be fundraising or holding campaign events.

Still, Calhoun’s name will be on the ballot, and he says people are welcome to vote for him if they share his point of view.
“At the end of the day, since I’m not owned by anyone or any organization at this point, it would be an opportunity for the people of Montana to have a U.S. senator that’s not owned by people who are more like the modern-day Copper Kings,” he said.

Calhoun, 75, grew up in Pennsylvania. He moved to Montana about 10 years ago. In Whitefish, he started Northstone Solar, which designs and installs solar-energy systems for homes and businesses. He has since sold the business to one of his employees.

Calhoun calls himself an “Eisenhower Republican” and says he’s disagreed with the direction of the party for years. He believes the current tax structure favors the upper class and large corporations at the expense of the middle class and small businesses. He also wants the U.S. to move toward a universal health care system.
If elected, Calhoun says he would serve only one term.

Jonathon Ambarian

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The third Republican on the ballot will be Charles Walking Child, of Helena. Walking Child operates an environmental contracting business. He has previously run in the Republican primaries for Montana’s eastern U.S. House seat in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024.

Walking Child has said he sees both major parties as failing to represent everyday Montanans, and that current elected Republicans are too focused on the wealthy.

MTN reached out to Walking Child for this story. He said he “will be giving no interviews, especially to fake news.”

The winner of the Republican primary will move on to the general election, along with one of five Democratic candidates and one of two Libertarians. An independent candidate is also seeking to qualify for the general election ballot.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7TH: A strong wind event is set to unfold this afternoon through most of the state. A low-pressure system with an associated cold front will move just north of our state. This, combined with strong mid-level winds, will enhance surface-level winds. Gusts could reach up to 70 MPH in lower elevations, with the Rocky Mountain Front gusting to near 90 MPH at times.

Expect partly cloudy skies for most of the day. A little more cloud cover may be present on and east of the Rocky Mountain Front. The wind will push high temperatures into the mid to upper 60s.

Most of the day will be dry, but a few rain showers will form along the cold front as it moves from northwest to southeast in the afternoon and evening. A few showers and a thunderstorm or two may also form in southwest Montana.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8TH: Winds will die down in the morning throughout central Montana, but will still be gusty throughout the afternoon in the eastern portion of the state. Temperatures will be cooler behind the front, with morning lows in the 20s and 30s. Afternoon highs will only reach the 40s and 50s.

A few morning snow showers will impact northeast Montana on the backside of the low-pressure system. Impactful accumulation is not expected.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH: A shortwave disturbance bringing isolated rain and snow showers will move through north-central Montana on Thursday. This may bring snowflakes in the morning, but it is not likely that this snow will stick. Morning lows will be in the 20s and 30s again. Highs will reach the 50s.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH: Friday will be a beautiful day with highs warming into the 60s for most areas, with a few spots potentially hitting 70 under mostly sunny conditions. A couple of thunderstorms will move into southwest Montana. These should stay south of I-90.

LONG-RANGE FORECAST: Another storm system begins to influence the state on Saturday afternoon. Moist southwest flow ahead of a center of low will bring air temperatures in the 60s and 70s with scattered thunderstorms. There will be some wet weather around on Sunday as well, with cooler temperatures.

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WEATHER ALERTS:

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Helena Temperature Records Today:
High: 77 (1930)
Low: 7 (1923)
AVG: 54/30

Great Falls Temperature Records Today:
High: 81 (1930)
Low: 4 (1982)
AVG: 53/28

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On March 26th, the city of Helena proclaimed April as Fraud Prevention Month, encouraging people to be aware of scams and to take preventative measures. April also marks the American Association of Retired Persons Fraud Prevention Month. While anybody can be impacted, older Americans are most at risk.

“It can completely change their life, as far as losing their life savings,” said AARP director of outreach and community engagement Marcus Meyer. “It can take an emotional toll on them, where they may become paranoid or not trustworthy.”

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission data showed over 6,000 Montanans reported fraud losses, totaling over $23 million dollars. The Department of Justice says they’re seeing a huge uptick in numbers, getting calls every day.

Scams and fraud can come in many shapes and sizes, from calls, texts, emails, social media, and even AI. Thankfully, there are signs to look for to avoid them altogether.

“A sense of urgency, so wanting you to act now, make some sort of payment where it’s untraceable,” Meyer said.

Experts say if you see a potential scam, consider if it’s too good to be true.

Officials in the Division of Criminal Investigation with the Department of Justice remind residents that legitimate government agencies will never ask for immediate payment, whether that be through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or even a text.

“Just most recently, I got one saying that I had a violation from MHP, and that I had to pay all this money,” explained DCI Edler Justice Unit agent Jeremy Alvarez. “It came on my work phone, and I’m like… Montana Highway Patrol doesn’t do that.”

For those with concerns, there are plenty of resources available to be made aware of scams, take preventative measures, and make reports of incidents.

The division of criminal investigation works with local law enforcement to investigate reports, tracking where the money goes, and providing assistance where they can.

Evan Charney, MTN News

Throughout the month of April, AARP is holding conferences and webinars to raise awareness. Here in Helena, they’re hosting a shred event at the UPS store so people can shred their documents with personal information to reduce their risk.

More information about these events and resources can be found here.