Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock has made clear he’s not interested in the Senate seat as he explores a presidential bid. Bullock has formed a political action committee that’s paid for hiring staff in the key state of Iowa and funded his travel there several times.

National party leaders like U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York and minority leader in the Senate, have tried to push Bullock toward a run against Daines as part of an effort to flip control of the Senate.

Asked about the Democrats’ options if Bullock doesn’t want the seat, party Executive Director Monica Lindeen said last month it’s still too early to say.

"We have a lot of opportunities in Montana, and it's early,” Lindeen said. “Right now, there are a lot of conversations going on about what makes the most sense and how to take advantage of those opportunities with the many Democrats who are interested in running for office in Montana.”

A recent Big Sky Poll from the University of Montana found that about 67 percent of Montanans have a good or fair view of Daines, while 23 percent rank his performance as poor and 19 percent as excellent.

At the 2019 Lewis and Clark County Republican Central Committee Lincoln Reagan Dinner, Daines said his own re-election could decide the makeup of the Senate. “Whoever wants to challenge me, bring it on,” he said.

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