Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, confidently stated that he was leading against his Republican opponent in the campaign data, challenging the prevailing notion that the Senate race in Montana is extremely close.
Tester expressed his confidence by saying, 'I'm kicking his a--,' in reference to his Republican Senate opponent, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy. When pressed on the margin of his lead, Tester declined to provide specifics, stating, 'That's not for you to know.'
Despite concerns about the competitiveness of his re-election bid, Tester asserted that his race was not in a precarious position. This was evident when he chose to skip a crucial meeting with President Biden's top campaign advisers, including Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, and Jen O'Malley Dillon at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) on Thursday.
Tester's absence from the meeting was attributed to a 'scheduling conflict,' with his office citing a prior commitment to discuss the 'Sentinel project' with an aerospace and defense company. The Sentinel project likely pertains to the company's involvement in the U.S. Air Force’s LGM-35A Sentinel weapon system, a key component of the U.S. nuclear triad.
When questioned about his priorities amidst the competitive Senate race, Tester emphasized his focus on national security, stating, 'I'm worried about making sure that this nation is secured. Period. That's what I'm worried about.'
In response to Tester's claims, a spokesperson for Sheehy criticized Tester's support for President Biden, suggesting that both Biden and Tester were facing challenges. The nonpartisan political handicapper report categorizes the Montana Senate race as a 'Toss Up,' along with Senate races in Nevada, Ohio, and Michigan.
