MISSOULA, Mont. — Montana’s U.S. Senate race took a sudden turn as incumbent Sen. Steve Daines withdrew his name from the running.
Candidate filing closed at 5 p.m., and Daines’ status on the Montana Secretary of State’s website was updated to “withdrawn.”
The move came just after a morning announcement that former University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is running as an independent, backed by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.
Ten other candidates also filed to run.
The primary election is June 2.
NBC Montana reached out to Daines’ office for comment.