The curious case of Daines’ last-minute exit

By: Doug James

Outlets: Daily Montanan

Published: March 7, 2026

Words: 887

Last Updated: 3 days, 7 hours ago

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Wednesday was historic.

Not inspiring. Not admirable. Just…historic.

In the most “nothing to see here” political maneuver imaginable, Sen. Steve Daines waited until the final minutes before the filing deadline to drop out of his race for a third term in the U.S. Senate.

Minutes.

Then—almost magically—another candidate appeared.

A chosen one.

Republicans instantly fell in line. Like dominoes. Or perhaps like pre-written press releases waiting in a folder labeled “In Case of Emergency: Install …

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