U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke threw his support behind Navy SEAL veteran-turned-businessman U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy on Wednesday, joining other prominent Montana conservatives in endorsing the Bridger Aerospace CEO .
Republicans, US Senator Steve Daines, who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Governor Greg Gianforte, have also announced their support for the businessman. By coming out behind Sheehy, Zinke also ended speculation that the former Interior secretary would run for the seat.
The Senate seat is held by Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, who announced earlier this year that he would seek a fourth term in the upper chamber.
“In 2015 I was honored to pin his Bronze Star and Purple Heart, and today I am honored to endorse Tim Sheehy to be Montana’s next U.S. senator,” said Zinke, who he is also a Navy SEAL veteran, in a statement.
Zinke’s colleague in the House, U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, is still eyeing a bid for the Senate seat. Rosendale, a Republican, ran against Tester in 2018, losing by 3.5 points. While Rosendale has not announced his intention to run, he has not yet endorsed Sheehy.
Sheehy announced his candidacy on June 27.
Tester first took office in 2007, beating incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns by a margin of less than 1 percent. He most recently won re-election in 2018. Before being elected to the United States Senate, Tester served in the state legislature.
Sheehy is a newcomer to the political scene. The founder of Bridger Aerospace, an aerial firefighting company based in Belgrade, Sheehy also owns Little Belt Cattle Company.
“I’m running for the United States Senate because we need strong conservative fighters to return leadership to Washington and protect Montana. This campaign is about service, duty and country, not politics as usual,” Sheehy said in a statement .
Democrats currently control the Senate 51-49, making the Montana seat a key race for both parties.
