Kurt Alme Wins Montana Republican Senate Nomination

Former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme has won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Montana, setting up a November contest against Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead and independent candidate Seth Bodnar. The primary results were called on June 2. The winner will succeed Republican Sen. Steve Daines, who is not seeking a third term.

Alme’s victory followed a primary against mechanical engineer Lee Calhoun and Charles Walking Child. He enters the general election as a strong favorite in a state that has voted reliably Republican in recent federal elections. Alme has received endorsements from former President Donald Trump, Daines, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, and Sen. Tim Sheehy.

The circumstances surrounding Alme’s candidacy have drawn scrutiny. In March, Daines withdrew from the race just minutes before the candidate filing deadline. Alme filed his candidacy paperwork shortly thereafter, in what appeared to be a coordinated sequence of events. Daines immediately endorsed Alme. Trump endorsed Alme later the same day, stating in a social media post that Daines had decided to “pass the torch” because of Alme’s aptitude.

This maneuver was criticized by opponents as an effort to...