Article Summary –
Republican congressman Matt Rosendale announced his departure from politics after receiving a death threat and facing defamatory rumors about him and his family. Rosendale, a member of Montana’s far-right House freedom caucus, previously attempted to run for the US senate but withdrew after failing to secure necessary endorsements. Amidst the controversy, he was accused of impregnating a staff member, a claim his office called “100% false and defamatory”.
Matt Rosendale Announces Retirement from Politics amid Controversy
Matt Rosendale, Republican congressman from Montana, has announced his departure from politics following a failed bid for the US senate, resulting in a threat against his life and defamatory rumors about his family.
The far-right House freedom caucus member entered Montana’s Republican primary in February to challenge Democratic incumbent, Jon Tester. However, backed by President Donald Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, his opponent Tim Sheehy, a millionaire aerospace and retired navy seal, received the endorsement, leading to Rosendale’s withdrawal.
Rosendale initially considered re-election for his seat held since 2021, but political turmoil followed. Specifically, his office threatened to sue former Democratic senator Heidi Heitkamp for accusing Rosendale of leaving the Senate primary due to an alleged affair with a staffer. Rosendale’s office has labeled these claims as entirely false.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, fellow rightwing member of Congress, publicly supported Sheehy and accused Rosendale of not being loyal to Trump. She used the term “grifter” to describe him.
Rosendale had planned to pursue re-election for his congressional post “at the urging of many, including several of the current candidates”. However, he stated that following a death threat and defamatory rumors, he has been forced to involve law enforcement, significantly impacting him and his family.
He has since stated: “The current attacks have made it impossible for me to focus on my work to serve you. So, in the best interest of my family and the community, I am withdrawing from the House race and will not be seeking office.” He will remain in Congress until his term ends in early 2025.
Among those signed up to run for his seat in November is Denny Rehberg, who served as Montana’s lone congressional representative from 2001 until 2013.
Before his political retirement, Rosendale’s brief Senate run was his second challenge for Tester’s seat, having also run in 2018 but lost by just over three percentage points.
Before his tenure in Congress, Rosendale served as Montana’s state auditor and legislator. He was part of a conservative insurgent group that pushed former Republican US House speaker Kevin McCarthy through 15 rounds of votes before gaining the speaker’s gavel in early 2023.
Last year, after his removal as House speaker in October, McCarthy retired. His replacement, Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson, initially pledged to endorse Rosendale’s Senate run before reportedly facing backlash within their party and changing his mind.
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