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R Republican · U.S. Senate, Montana · Nov 3, 2026

Kurt
Alme

Montana Republican Kurt Alme, former U.S. Attorney, is the GOP nominee for Montana's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
20
positions
11
endorsements
9
almeforsenate.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Alani Bankhead D+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Kurt Alme is a Republican candidate for Montana's U.S. Senate seat in the November 3, 2026 general election, running to succeed incumbent Steve Daines, who is not seeking reelection. [2, 9, 10] A Great Falls native who grew up in several Montana communities and graduated from Custer County District High School in Miles City, Alme earned an undergraduate business degree from the University of Colorado and a law degree from Harvard Law School. 4 He and his wife settled in Billings. 5

Alme's career has spanned law, government, and nonprofit leadership. He served as an Assistant and First Assistant U.S. Attorney, director of the Montana Department of Revenue, state budget director, and partner at Crowley Fleck. He also served as President and General Counsel of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation. [4, 3, 12] He was first confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana from 2017 to 2020, and was confirmed again by the U.S. Senate in October 2025. [2, 3]

Alme resigned as U.S. Attorney on March 4, 2026, to launch his Senate campaign, making him a first-time candidate for elected office. [9, 12] He won the Republican primary in June 2026 and has been campaigning on themes of common-sense governance and budget discipline. [21, 26]

At a glance

Party
Republican
Running for
U.S. Senate, Montana
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate (Montana)
Website
almeforsenate.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 11
    debate
    Alme debates Bankhead, Bodnar, and Austin in first joint general-election debate in Bozeman

    Alme appeared with Bankhead, Bodnar, and Austin in a 90-minute debate in Bozeman hosted by the Montana Broadcasters Association and Greater Montana Foundation. Alme argued for limiting federal spending, lowering taxes, and cutting construction costs, calling Bodnar and Bankhead his 'two liberal opponents.' Bodnar criticized Alme's handling of sexual-abuse cases as a federal prosecutor and the circumstances of his entry into the race.

    Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 10
    poll
    Exclusive poll: Alme leads Montana Senate race by 19 points

    A newly released exclusive poll reported Alme leading the Montana Senate race by 19 points over his nearest competitor.

    Exclusive Poll: Kurt Alme Leads Montana Senate Race by 19 Points · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 8
    controversy
    Bozeman Daily Chronicle guest column argues Alme's late filing curtailed voters' choices

    An opinion guest column in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle argued that the episode surrounding Daines' withdrawal and Alme's last-minute filing curtailed voters' choices and warned of potential voter backlash. This represents the columnist's opinion, not a neutral finding.

    Voter vengeance in Kurt Alme's future? · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 6
    endorsement
    Alme campaign announces endorsement from International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

    Alme's campaign announced via press release an endorsement from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

    Press Releases - Alme for Senate · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 5
    poll
    Political Wire reports Alme way ahead in three-way Montana Senate race

    Political Wire reported that Alme holds a commanding lead in the three-way Montana Senate race based on available polling data.

    Alme Way Ahead in Three-Way Montana Senate Race · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 5
    news
    Alme says affordability is 'top priority' in Montana Free Press candidate questionnaire

    In a Montana Free Press candidate questionnaire, Alme stated affordability would be his top priority, proposing to rein in federal spending, keep taxes low, reduce regulatory barriers, expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and advance a proposal called the More Homes on the Market Act. These are his stated proposals, not enacted policy.

    How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Oct 2
    news
    Campaign Beat covers new polling, ads, and challenges in Montana Senate race

    Montana Public Radio's Campaign Beat discussed new polling results, new advertisements, and emerging challenges in the Montana Senate race including Alme's position.

    Campaign Beat: New polling, new ads, new challenges · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 22
    news
    Alme promises 'big steps' toward affordability at Kalispell campaign stop

    At a Kalispell campaign stop, Alme described an affordability agenda centered on reducing federal spending and taxes and cutting red tape in construction and energy development. He also accepted the Chamber of Commerce endorsement at the event.

    Alme promises 'big steps' toward affordability at Kalispell ... · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 21
    endorsement
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Kurt Alme for U.S. Senate in Montana

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Alme, stating it backs candidates it believes will support policies benefiting businesses and workers.

    U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Kurt Alme for ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 19
    poll
    NonStop Local/American Pulse poll: Alme 45.1%, Bodnar 26.1%, Bankhead 18.9%

    A NonStop Local/American Pulse poll of 604 likely voters conducted September 19–24 reported Alme at 45.1%, independent Seth Bodnar at 26.1%, and Democrat Alani Bankhead at 18.9%, using live phone and text-to-web interviews.

    Montana Senate race: Kurt Alme tops Bodnar and Bankhead in new poll findings · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 15
    news
    Report highlights Alme's 'low-risk' campaign strategy as Republican frontrunner

    A Western News report described Alme as the Republican frontrunner running a cautious, low-risk campaign in the Montana Senate race.

    the low-risk campaign of Republican frontrunner Kurt Alme · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sep 14
    poll
    Quantus Insights poll puts Alme at 44%, Bodnar 24%, Bankhead 23%

    A Quantus Insights poll of 625 likely voters conducted September 14–15 put Alme at 44%, Bodnar at 24%, and Bankhead at 23%, as summarized by Midterm Mondays.

    Montana U.S. Senate 2026 - Midterm Mondays · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  13. Aug 27
    poll
    Montana Free Press/Rutgers Eagleton poll: Alme 38%, Bodnar 30%, Bankhead 16%

    A poll of 845 registered voters conducted August 27–September 7 found Alme at 38%, Bodnar 30%, Bankhead 16%, and Libertarian Kyle Austin 5%. The survey used a different population and method than later likely-voter polls.

    Montana Senate Race 2026: Polls and Forecast | Poliwave · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  14. Mar 4
    filing
    Sen. Daines withdrew; Alme filed for Montana Senate near filing deadline

    Sen. Steve Daines withdrew from the race near Montana's filing deadline, and Kurt Alme filed to run shortly before it closed. The timing and Daines' role in Alme's candidacy became a point of criticism in the campaign.

    Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    Endorsement announced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. uschamber.com · Sep 21, 2026
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) union
    Endorsement release dated September 7, 2026, identified in the Alme campaign's press-release listing posted October 6. almeforsenate.com · Sep 7, 2026
  • Thirty-four Montana sheriffs official
    Endorsements by 34 individual sheriffs, not a sheriffs' association, according to a campaign announcement. almeforsenate.com · Aug 12, 2026
  • Club for Growth PAC organization
    Endorsed Alme according to the organization's candidate page. clubforgrowth.org · Aug 6, 2026
  • Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America organization
    President Marjorie Dannenfelser said, "We are proud to endorse Kurt Alme to be the next United States senator for the Treasure State." ontheissues.org · Apr 22, 2026
  • Tim Sheehy, U.S. Senator from Montana official
    Endorsed Alme when Alme announced his candidacy. missoulacurrent.com · Mar 4, 2026
  • Steve Daines, U.S. Senator from Montana official
    Endorsed Alme after withdrawing from the race himself, saying he was "passing the torch" to Alme. missoulacurrent.com · Mar 4, 2026
  • Greg Gianforte, Montana Governor official
    Endorsed Alme when Alme announced his candidacy. missoulacurrent.com · Mar 4, 2026
  • Donald Trump, President official
    Endorsed Alme on Truth Social, calling him "exceptional" and giving his "Complete and Total Endorsement." missoulacurrent.com · Mar 4, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.98M
Spent
$534K
Cash on hand
$1.45M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6MT00295(opens in a new tab)

Sources 20

  1. [1] Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] Exclusive Poll: Kurt Alme Leads Montana Senate Race by 19 Points(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  3. [3] Montana U.S. Senate 2026 - Midterm Mondays(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  4. [4] Voter vengeance in Kurt Alme's future?(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  6. [6] Kurt Alme draws on Montana roots in U.S. Senate campaign(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  7. [7] Press Releases - Alme for Senate(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  8. [8] Alme Way Ahead in Three-Way Montana Senate Race(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  9. [9] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  10. [10] Campaign Beat: New polling, new ads, new challenges(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  11. [11] Montana Senate race: Kurt Alme tops Bodnar and Bankhead in new poll findings(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  12. [12] Kurt Alme in 2026 MT Senatorial race(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
  13. [13] Alme promises 'big steps' toward affordability at Kalispell ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  14. [14] U.S. Chamber Endorses Candidate Kurt Alme for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
  15. [15] Kurt Alme(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  16. [16] Montana Senate Race 2026: Polls and Forecast | Poliwave(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  17. [17] the low-risk campaign of Republican frontrunner Kurt Alme(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  18. [18] Meet Kurt(opens in a new tab) Jun 16, 2026
  19. [19] Republican Kurt Alme cruises to Senate primary win(opens in a new tab) Jun 3, 2026
  20. [20] Alme files for Senate, endorsed by Daines and Trump(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
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