Matt Rains ended his bid for Montana’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, saying he will run for a state House seat instead and threw his support in the congressional race to fellow Democratic U.S. House candidate Kathleen Williams.

“It has been an honor running to represent our incredible state and I’m looking forward to using my ranching, military and energy experience to serve Cascade County and House District 22,” Rains said in a news release.

“I have come to know Kathleen as a friend. I am completely confident she will take Montana’s collective voice to Congress and represent our diverse communities with strength and passion," he stated via email. "I am proud to step aside and endorse Kathleen Williams for Montana’s congressional seat.”

He said in a telephone call that he had discussions with party members and was asked to consider running for the state seat and bolster Democratic numbers in the state Legislature. Rains is running for the Great Falls-area House District 22 seat now occupied by GOP Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway. No one had officially filed to enter the race as of Monday.

Rains said several factors played into his decision. He said he asked party leaders how he could be help Democrats and "(Resoundingly) it came back that HD 22 would fit my profile very well."

"It essentially became the right fit for me now," he said, adding this allows he and Williams to take two different paths to help Montanans.

Williams said she was honored to have Rains' support.

“Throughout our time on the campaign trail, Matt has impressed me with his commitment to public service and Montana’s agricultural sector,” she said, adding they share a goal of fostering opportunity for Montanans to achieve their "American dream.”

Rains is a fifth-generation rancher of the Birdtail Ranch in Simms. He graduated from West Point, where he got an engineering degree. He flew UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and is an Iraq War veteran. Rains also was a humanitarian photographer with projects in Kenya, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Kurdistan. He spent four years working in the energy sector.

Williams and fellow Democrat Thomas Winter are running for the June 2 primary. Republican candidates in the House race include Joe Dooling, Timothy Alan Johnson, Debra Lamm, Matt Rosendale and Corey Stapleton.

The current House member for Montana's one seat is Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte, who is running for governor.

The general election is Nov. 3.

Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com. To support his work, subscribe today and get a special offer.