Republicans are coalescing around their candidate of choice to challenge Sen. Jon Tester’s (D-MT) bid for a fourth term well ahead of next year’s contest.

Tim Sheehy, a businessman and former Navy SEAL who entered the 2024 GOP primary in late June, has the backing of Gov. Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) in his capacity as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. All three have urged Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), who is openly mulling whether to throw his hat in the ring, to sit this cycle out in hopes of preventing a contentious primary.

Daines and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have spent this year recruiting the most electable candidates in must-win swing states to retake the majority next year. Both men have said their path to victory relies on wins in Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, four states with Democratic incumbents up for reelection.