Great relief for Democrats as Senator Jon Tester says he’ll run again in Montana in 2024: Increases the party’s chances of battling Republicans on a brutal political map
- Democrats are defending 23 seats versus 11 for Republicans
- Trump won Montana by 16 points
- The tester’s decision provided relief for the Democrats
Montana Sen. Jon Tester announced Wednesday that he would seek re-election in 2024 — giving Democrats a sigh of relief as they face a hugely unfavorable map for the second straight year.
‘It is official. I’m running for re-election,” Tester tweeted Wednesday morning.
“The Montans need a campaigner to hold our government accountable and demand that Washington stand up for veterans and lower the cost to families. I will always fight to defend our Montana values. Let’s get to work,” he wrote.
First elected in 2006, the 66-year-old Tester has demonstrated his ability to adapt to his state, which voted 16 percentage points for Donald Trump. His decision allows Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer to avoid defending an open seat and dodge an additional recruiting challenge as he tries to maintain his one-vote majority.
RUNNING: “It’s official. I’m running for re-election,” Sen. Jon Tester tweeted Wednesday morning, in a move that allows Democrats to avoid defending a difficult open seat
The news comes a day after Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee announced her decision to seek the seat of outgoing Sen. Dianne Feinstein in California in what is expected to be a divisive primary in a heavily Democratic state.
Tester acknowledged the difficulty he himself will face in keeping the seat in Democrat hands.
“Political experts say Montana is the GOP’s top target in 2024 and we need to be ready,” he wrote in an online appeal for funds. “Put in a few bucks to win this seat and stop McConnell from retaking the Senate majority,” he said, referring to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who hopes to regain his old job as Majority Leader.
Democrats will hold 23 seats in 2024, versus 11 for Republicans. If Democrats retain the White House, Republicans will need to win two seats to win a majority. If Republicans take the White House, they could secure control with just 50 seats and a single pickup truck.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) wants his incumbents to seek re-election as Democrats face an unfavorable map
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), like Tester, faces re-election in a state that has voted for Donald Trump
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is trying to engineer a GOP takeover
Democrats also face challenges in another very conservative state, West Virginia, where Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin is cautious about his plans. He could run for re-election, or run for governor, or even run for the White House — or even run under a different party label.
“Everything is on the table,” Manchin told NBC last month. “I will do everything I can to ensure I make my decision based on what is best … for my country and my state.”
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also announced that he would seek re-election in a Trump-backed state.
Tester has earned non-partisan credentials by chairing the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Potential challengers include GOP Reps Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke, as well as Gov. Greg Gianforte and District Attorney Austin Knudsen.