The announcement on Saturday is that former governor Brian Schweitzer would not be seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by the retiring Max Baucus, sent shock waves through both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Recently re-elected state GOP chairman Will Deschamps said on Sunday evening that Schweitzer's decision actually benefits both parties.

"His decision actually does a couple of things," Deschamps said. "It helps the people in his party because now it frees up a lot of people that were thinking about having an opportunity to run for different offices to start working on those decisions. It also allows the Republican party to spend a lot more time gleaning and looking for candidates for bot the U.S. Senate, and if Congressman Daines decides, and I have no inside information to know whether will or will not, start looking for house candidates if Congressman Daines decides to run for the U.S. Senate."

Deschamps emphasized the importance to Republicans that the party regains control of the U.S. Senate.

"You'll notice that we have things that pass the House, sometimes with bi-partisan support only to get stymied in the U.S. Senate," Deschamps said. "So, its very important that we work as hard as we can across the nation to make sure that we attempt to get power in the U.S. Senate."

Recently at a convention of Montana broadcasters, Daines demurred over a question that he would run for the U.S. Senate, saying only, with a smile, "next question", which was followed by laughter from the audience.

GOP State President Will Deschamps

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