Tester campaign launches ‘Republicans for Tester’ group in Montana Senate race

Sen. Jon Tester’s (D-Mont.) campaign announced Tuesday that it’s launching a “Republicans for Tester” group as the Montana Democrat braces for a competitive reelection bid this fall.

The campaign noted that the group has more than 100 GOP members, which include former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot and former Secretary of State Bob Brown — who are among the co-chairs for the group — and former Montana GOP Chair Susan Good-Geise.

“For going on three decades I’ve known and worked with Jon Tester as he has tirelessly set about to serve all Montanans, Democrats and Republicans alike. Jon has, without exception, executed his duties with an elevated focus upon the public good,” Racicot said in a statement shared through the campaign.

“Not unexpectedly, it has always been people, not parties, who have come first with Jon Tester. I’m proud to support our senior senator because I’m absolutely confident he’ll continue to protect and defend our liberty and our Montana way of life.”

Tester, meanwhile, said he was “honored” to have the backing of GOP members from his state, saying in his own statement that “Montana will always come first for me — and I will take on anyone, from any party, to defend our state.”

Tester is gearing up for a tough reelection campaign as he takes on Republican Tim Sheehy leading up to November. Tester is among two Senate Democrats running for another term who hail from states that former President Trump won handily in 2020.

Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), who’s running for Arizona Senate, similarly launched a “Republicans and Independents for Ruben” group. Both men will need the help of Republicans and independents in winning their seats this fall.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Tester’s seat as a “toss up.”