Leadership-backed Tim Sheehy enters GOP Senate race in Montana

Driving the news: “From inflation to our border to our deficit, America is ready for change. And I think it’s time for a new generation of leaders to step up,” Sheehy told Fox News Digital.

• “Leaders who understand servant leadership, which is putting the mission before yourself, and leaders who understand how to get results."

The big picture: Senate Republicans, led by National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.), have been actively recruiting Sheehy to run against Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in 2024, Axios' Josh Kraushaar previously reported.

• Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), who challenged Tester in 2018, also appears to be eyeing a bid in Montana, but has not yet made one official.
• The Montana Senate race is currently listed as "lean Democratic" by the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.

Daines said in a statement Tuesday that he “could not be happier that [Sheehy] has decided to enter the Montana Senate race.”

• Sheehy, a Purple Heart recipient, completed over 200 missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and the United States Pacific Command.
• He is the CEO of Bridger Aerospace, a Montana-based provider of aerial firefighting and wildfire surveillance services.

Go deeper... Senate GOP's 2024 landmines