Montana Senator Jon Tester Faces Tough Re-election Amid GOP Senate Control Bid

Tester, a Top Washington Fundraiser, Denies Influence of Lobbyist Cash Amid Criticism

Democrat Jon Tester, a Montana farmer and U.S. Senator for 17 years, is facing a tough re-election campaign in 2024 as Republicans target his seat in their bid to gain control of the Senate.
Tester, who has a reputation as a moderate and has survived three close elections, has become a top Washington fundraiser, raising almost $20 million for next year's election, ranking him sixth among Senate candidates nationwide.
His campaign reports reveal abundant lobbyist cash, leading to accusations of him being a Washington insider, a charge he denies, insisting the money hasn't changed him.
Tester's position as chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense has drawn criticism from some constituents who link donations to his campaign by defense industry lobbyists with his opposition to a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Despite the challenges, Tester remains popular among veterans, a significant demographic in Montana, which has the second-highest percentage of veterans in the U.S. among the adult civilian population.