The Steve Daines scheme in historical perspective

By: Marc C. Johnson

Outlets: Daily Montanan

Published: March 10, 2026

Words: 1,700

Last Updated: 1 hour, 34 minutes ago

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Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines set bipartisan tongues wagging last week when he pulled off an audacious scheme – one commentator called it an “arrogant and just deeply cynical move” – to ensure that his handpicked successor received an uncontested shot at a six-year term in the United States Senate.

Daines, who was widely believed to be coasting to a third Senate term with no serious GOP primary opposition, abruptly ended his own candidacy …

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