On October 29, 2026, President Trump posted on Truth Social that Republican Kurt Alme is “a terrific candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Wonderful State of Montana,” and gave him his “Complete and Total Endorsement.” Alme won the Republican primary on June 2, 2026, and Montana voters decide the seat on November 3, 2026. For working families, the endorsement itself changes no tax, budget or law; it is a signal of support that carries weight only if voters act on it at the ballot box.
What did Trump say about Kurt Alme?
The full text is on the President’s own account, so this is his statement, not a verified fact. In the President Trump’s Truth Social post, he calls Alme one of the strongest and most conservative Republican candidates in the country. He says Alme will always put Montana and America first, and he ends with a direct request: “GET OUT AND VOTE FOR KURT.”
The post sets Alme against Democrat Alani Bankhead, whom the President calls a “Radical Left Extremist.” He says she backs higher taxes, open borders, no consequences for violent criminals, men in women’s sports and gender transition for everyone. For a wider look at the President’s posts, see trump truth social claims.
Who is Kurt Alme?
Ballotpedia’s Kurt Alme profile lists him as the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Montana. He served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana from October 7, 2025, until March 4, 2026. His campaign says President Trump nominated him for that post in 2017 and again in 2025.
Earlier, Alme was a partner at the Crowley Fleck law firm, director of the Montana Department of Revenue under Gov. Judy Martz, and budget director under Gov. Greg Gianforte. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, earned in 1989, and a law degree from Harvard Law School, earned in 1992.
How did Alme get into this race?
On March 4, 2026, Sen. Steve Daines withdrew as the incumbent and endorsed Alme, who filed for the seat the same day. Ballotpedia, citing the Montana Free Press, says this makes the 2026 race the first Montana Senate election in 40 years without an incumbent.
| Republican primary, June 2, 2026 | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Alme | 128,716 | 76.1% |
| Lee Calhoun | 23,872 | 14.1% |
| Charles A. Walking Child | 16,474 | 9.7% |
| Total votes | 169,062 |
Ballotpedia reports that these primary results have been certified.
Who is running against Alme?
Four other candidates are on the November 3 ballot. The withdrawal deadline passed on August 10, 2026. Neither Alani Bankhead nor Seth Bodnar withdrew, so both remain in the race.
| Candidate | Party | Background or primary result, per Ballotpedia |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Alme | Republican | Won the June 2 primary with 76.1% |
| Alani Bankhead | Democrat | Won the Democratic primary with 43.6% (48,772 votes); former Air Force counterintelligence agent and lieutenant colonel |
| Seth Bodnar | Independent | Former Green Beret; former president of the University of Montana |
| Kyle Austin | Libertarian | Won the Libertarian primary |
| Jami Woodman | Write-in | Listed as nonpartisan |
Bankhead says her campaign centres on housing, healthcare and government accountability. Bodnar runs as an independent and argues that both major parties have failed Montana. KTVH’s Jonathon Ambarian reported that some warn a Democrat and a well-funded independent on the ballot could split the opposition vote, making Republicans harder to unseat in the Senate race.
How is the race rated?
As of October 27, 2026, four rating outlets tracked by Ballotpedia rate the general election as shown below. Ballotpedia updates these ratings every week.
| Rating outlet | Montana Senate rating |
|---|---|
| Cook Political Report | Solid Republican |
| Inside Elections | Solid Republican |
| DDHQ/The Hill | Likely Republican |
| Sabato’s Crystal Ball | Safe Republican |
In Ballotpedia’s scale, Solid and Safe ratings mean one party holds a clear edge and the race is not competitive. A Likely rating means that edge exists, but an upset is possible.
What does Alme say he will do in the Senate?
In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, Alme says he is running to make life more affordable, make communities safer and protect the Montana way of life. His listed priorities are veterans, the Second Amendment, keeping boys out of girls’ sports, farmers and ranchers, public lands and election security.
On spending, he says his first act as senator would be to introduce a bill that stops lawmakers’ pay if Congress fails to balance the budget. He also says that as Montana’s revenue director he led the largest income tax rate cut in state history. These are Alme’s statements about his plans and his record.
Which of these claims are statements and which are on the record?
Keep the President’s words apart from the public record. The table sorts the main points by who makes them.
| Claim | Who makes it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alme is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montana Senate | Ballotpedia | Confirmed by the ballot listing |
| Alme won the June 2 Republican primary with 76.1% | Ballotpedia | Certified results |
| Trump endorsed Alme | President Trump; Ballotpedia lists Trump among Alme’s endorsements | Stated in the post and listed on Ballotpedia |
| Alme is one of the strongest and most conservative Republican candidates in the country | President Trump | The President’s statement |
| Bankhead is a “Radical Left Extremist” | President Trump | The President’s characterization |
| The President won big in Montana in 2016, 2020 and 2024 | President Trump | The President’s statement |
What is still pending?
- Voters decide the seat on November 3, 2026. No result exists yet.
- The endorsement is a statement of support, not a vote. Alme must win the election.
- Race ratings can change, and Ballotpedia tracks each weekly update.
The President has also used Truth Social to back other Senate candidates, as in his Julia Letlow Senate post. Check your ballot with your county election office before November 3.
By USPatriotNews.com Editorial Team
