Dem
51
GOP
49
Senate Majority Leader Mitch "Candidate Quality" McConnell (R-KY) surely had a smile on his face on Friday, as he got some good news out of Montana. Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), who just announced a bid for the state's U.S. Senate seat last week, changed his mind and decided that he won't run after all.
Rosendale's explanation for the rapid change of course seems entirely plausible to us: Because of the late start, he was well behind his opponent Tim Sheehy in fundraising. Then, Donald Trump decided to endorse Sheehy, either because Trump thinks Sheehy is more likely to win, or because Trump has some lingering resentment of Rosendale, or both. In any case, the Representative and his advisers concluded that in this case, two strikes, and you're out. He might have overcome the lack of money, or the lack of a Trump endorsement, but not both. Rosendale has not yet decided if he'll run for reelection to his seat in the House.
Sheehy is not a flawless candidate, by any means, as he's got baggage (at least some of which is carpetbags). However, without Rosendale in the race, he won't have to tack right and he won't have to waste money in the primaries. So, Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is going to have all he can handle as he tries to keep his job. (Z)