Senator Steve Daines of Montana recently celebrated the approval of a water-rights agreement after years of effort. The senator issued a news release titled “DAINES, TESTER LED FORT BELKNAP WATER COMPACT PASSES SENATE,” acknowledging his collaboration with Senator Jon Tester, his Democratic colleague from Montana.
Despite their joint success, Senator Daines has also criticized Senator Tester for his alleged lack of concern regarding the national security threat posed by a Chinese spy balloon. He has even expressed his desire to replace Senator Tester with someone who shares his views.
As the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senator Daines has been actively campaigning against Senator Tester for months. However, the two senators are currently working together on state issues, creating a complex and sometimes awkward political situation.
Their relationship is also influenced by the upcoming 2024 Montana race, which will play a crucial role in determining the future control of the Senate. Republicans are targeting seats held by Senator Tester, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, and Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, as former President Donald J. Trump won these states convincingly in 2020. A victory in his home state for Senator Daines would significantly contribute towards the Republican party’s goal of Senate control.
Despite their political differences, Senator Tester and Senator Daines are collaborating on a Montana water-rights compact, which required extensive negotiations with various stakeholders. On the Senate floor, they consulted deeply while simultaneously engaging in political attacks through podcasts and news releases.
Traditionally, senators have refrained from campaigning aggressively against their fellow incumbents, as they might need their support in the future. However, the changing nature of politics and the high stakes involved in control of the Senate have pushed Senator Daines to actively recruit a challenger and allocate significant resources to defeat Senator Tester.
Senator Tester has successfully won three tough Senate races and is now seeking a fourth term. He has demonstrated the ability to build coalitions and appeal to constituents by presenting himself as an authentic Montanan with a practical approach to politics. Despite their rivalry, there are still benefits for both senators to collaborate on Senate and Montana-related matters. Senator Daines can leverage Senator Tester’s influence within the Democratic-controlled chamber, while Senator Tester can tout bipartisan achievements alongside someone determined to remove him from office.
Although they have never directly competed in an election, Senator Daines briefly considered running against Senator Tester in 2012 before focusing on the House of Representatives. In the 2020 race, Senator Tester supported Governor Steve Bullock against Senator Daines, resulting in a surprising victory for the latter.
Both senators maintain that they are friends and believe it is possible to disagree politically without compromising their relationship. They compare their situation to a sporting event between rival teams, where they can shake hands and maintain camaraderie after the game.
Senator Tester dismisses Senator Daines’s criticisms, expressing his confidence in his own ability to win the race. Ultimately, their collaboration and rivalry highlight the complexities of political relationships and the competing dynamics at play within the Senate.
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