Conservative businessman Tim Sheehy launched a Republican primary bid for the U.S. Senate Tuesday, hoping to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in what is expected to be one of the toughest Senate races in 2024.

The Montana Senate seat is critical to Republican efforts to capture the Senate majority. 

In a minute-long video posted on Twitter, Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, talked about serving in Afghanistan before moving to Montana with his wife to start an aerospace company. 

“Whether it’s at war or business, I see problems and solve them,” Sheehy said in the video. “America needs conservative leaders who love our country, and that’s why I’m running for the United States Senate.” 

Sheehy is running in a state that is reliably conservative in presidential races. In 2020, President Donald Trump won Montana by 16 points over President Joe Biden. That same year, incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines fended off a challenge from then-Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, in his reelection bid, winning  by 10 points. However, Cook Political Report currently rates the 2024 Montana Senate race as Lean Democrat. 

“Tim Sheehy is a decorated veteran, successful businessman, and a great Montanan,” Daines, who now serves as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement. “I could not be happier that he decided to enter the Montana Senate race.” 

While the Republican Senate campaign arm has signaled early support for Sheehy, he could be one of several candidates to compete in the Republican primary. Rep. Matt Rosendale, a close ally of former President Trump and Freedom Caucus member, is also expected to jump in the race – setting off what could be a brutal primary. 

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