Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) made a surprise announcement on Friday that he will not seek reelection at the end of his current term, which is a sudden change from his statement last week that he would run for reelection.
The decision follows a turbulent month for the Montana Republican. He started a Senate campaign in early February, but suspended it shortly after when several Republicans, including former President Trump, endorsed his primary opponent. As a result, he then decided to run for his House seat again, only to now drop that plan.
This marks the end of Rosendale's time in the House, during which he gained a reputation as a staunch conservative who was part of a group of eight Republicans that ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position.
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Rosendale mentioned a death threat against him and “defamatory rumors” about him and his family that emerged after he suspended his Senate bid.
“Since that announcement, I have been forced to have law enforcement visit my children because of a death threat against me and false and defamatory rumors against me and my family. This has taken a serious toll on me, and my family. Additionally, it has caused a serious disruption to the election of the next representative for MT-02,” Rosendale wrote.
“For me, public service has truly always been about serving, not titles or positions of power. 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 added.
Rosendale did not provide further details about the threats or allegations against him, but his announcement comes shortly after former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) claimed in a podcast interview that the Montana Republican abandoned his Senate bid due to a rumor that “he impregnated a 20-year-old staff person.”
Rosendale’s team refuted Heitkamp’s claim and warned of legal action against the former senator.
“This is 100% false and defamatory and former Senator Heitkamp will be hearing from our lawyers soon,” Ron Kovach, a spokesperson for Rosendale, said. Politico in a statement.
Updated: 1:22 p.m. ET
