Montana Senate Race Shifts to 'Lean Republican,' Threatening Democratic Majority

Cook Political Report updates its forecast, increasing GOP's chances of flipping the Senate as Tim Sheehy leads Jon Tester.

The Cook Political Report has reclassified the Montana Senate race from 'toss-up' to 'lean Republican,' reflecting a shift toward GOP candidate Tim Sheehy.
Recent polls show Sheehy consistently leading incumbent Democrat Jon Tester by margins ranging from 4.5 to 8 percentage points.
If Republicans win the Montana seat, along with the expected gain in West Virginia, they would secure a Senate majority.
Tester, who has held his seat since 2006, faces an uphill battle in a state that former President Donald Trump won by 16 points in 2020.
Democrats are relying on an abortion-rights ballot measure to boost Tester's chances in a traditionally red state.