Steve Daines

Steve Daines is a Republican politician and businessman serving as the senior United States Senator from Montana, a position he has held since 2015. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Bozeman, Montana, Daines earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Montana State University. Before entering public service, he spent 13 years at Procter & Gamble, including six years in China, and later served as an executive at RightNow Technologies, a Montana-based software company. He also worked in his family's construction business after returning to Montana in 1997. Daines was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, representing Montana's at-large congressional district. In 2014, he won election to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Republican to hold that particular seat in over a century. During his tenure, he has served on key committees, including Finance, Foreign Relations, and Energy and Natural Resources. He was reelected in 2020 and served as the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2023 to 2025. In March 2026, Daines announced that he would not seek reelection to a third term in the Senate.

Senator Daines maintains a consistently conservative platform centered on fiscal responsibility, energy development, and border security. He is a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act, advocating for its full repeal while emphasizing the protection of pre-existing conditions and the promotion of a doctor-patient-centered healthcare model. On economic issues, he supports pro-growth tax policies and has introduced legislation like the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, which proposes that members of Congress only receive pay if they pass a balanced budget. In the realm of energy and the environment, Daines advocates for a 'balanced' energy portfolio that includes coal, natural gas, and oil alongside renewable sources like wind and solar; he is a strong supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline and active forest management to mitigate wildfires. Regarding immigration, he prioritizes national security through the construction of a border wall and enhanced enforcement measures to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In foreign policy, he supports competitive trade policies that prioritize American interests and has participated in legislative efforts to maintain sanctions against foreign adversaries.