Steven David Daines is an American politician and former corporate executive serving as the senior United States senator from Montana, a seat he has held since 2015. He previously represented Montana’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2015). Daines is the first Republican to hold Montana’s Class II Senate seat in more than a century.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Bozeman, Daines earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Montana State University. Before entering elected office, he worked at Procter & Gamble and later at Bozeman-based RightNow Technologies, where he held senior roles including vice president positions in North America sales and the Asia-Pacific division.
Daines entered statewide politics as the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor in 2008 (losing in a landslide), then won Montana’s at-large House seat in 2012. In 2014, he ran for the Senate and won, becoming the first Republican to win a Montana U.S. Senate seat in the 21st century. He was reelected in 2020, defeating incumbent Democratic governor Steve Bullock in one of the most expensive Senate races of the cycle.
In the Senate, Daines frames his agenda around low taxes, deregulation, pro-extraction energy policy, and conservative social priorities. He has built close ties to national GOP leadership and served as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) beginning in 2023, helping guide the party’s Senate strategy through the 2024 cycle.
Mainstream Conservative
Committee Assignments
Caucus Memberships
Achievements
- Won Montana’s Class II U.S. Senate seat in 2014, becoming the first Republican to capture a Montana Senate seat in the 21st century.
- Reelected in 2020 in a marquee race against incumbent Democratic governor Steve Bullock, helping anchor GOP Senate strength in the Mountain West.
- Served as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) beginning in 2023, shaping party recruitment and Senate campaign strategy through the 2024 cycle.
- Built a policy identity around energy development, public-lands access, and pro-industry economic priorities tied to Montana’s extraction and outdoor economies.
- Senior committee footprint on appropriations, finance, and energy.
Controversies
- Criticized for strong alignment with Donald Trump-era priorities, including support for hardline immigration and executive actions.
- Environmental and climate stance has drawn sustained backlash, including skepticism toward the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change and support for expanded extraction.
- Faced criticism for opposing ACA-related expansions and voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
- Drew scrutiny for early support of objecting to 2020 electoral certification before ultimately dropping objections after the January 6 attack.
- Criticized by some as too close to corporate and energy interests, reinforcing a “pro-industry first” reputation.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Conservatives Fund | $293,841 | $283,841 | $10,000 |
| Club for Growth | $109,971 | $109,971 | $0 |
| Charter Communications | $84,247 | $64,247 | $20,000 |
| Blackstone Group | $77,368 | $77,368 | $0 |
| Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America | $72,625 | $57,225 | $15,400 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2014 Margin R +17.8%
2020 Margin R +10%