Matt Rosendale

Matthew Martin Rosendale Sr. (born July 7, 1960)[1] is an American politician and businessman from the state of Montana. He is the U.S. Representative for Montana's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, elected in 2020.

Matt Rosendale
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana's at-large district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Greg Gianforte
Auditor of Montana
In office January 2, 2017 – January 3, 2021
Governor	Steve Bullock
Preceded by	Monica Lindeen
Succeeded by	Troy Downing
Member of the Montana Senate from the 18th district
In office January 7, 2013 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by	John Brenden
Succeeded by	Steve Hinebauch
Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 38th district
In office January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2013
Preceded by	Dennis Getz
Succeeded by	Alan Doane
Personal details
Born	Matthew Martin Rosendale July 7, 1960 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jean Rosendale ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	3
Website	House website

Prior to taking office as a congressman, he served as the Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. He was also a member of the Montana Legislature from 2011 to 2017, serving in both houses.

Early life and career

Rosendale spent his career working in real estate, real estate development and land management.[2] He grew his family real estate business from a single, small five agent office into a full-service firm with 65 agents and four offices.[3]

Rosendale and his wife moved their family to Glendive, Montana, in 2002,[4] where they raised their children. He was twice elected chairman of the Glendive Agri-Trade Expo committee,[5] a local group that puts on an agriculture exposition showcasing agri-business in eastern Montana.[6] Rosendale also served as head of his local Catholic parish council.[5]

Montana State Legislature

Rosendale says his friends and neighbors in Glendive urged him to run for the state legislature to reduce spending and regulations, defend their gun and property rights, and protect the sanctity of life.[7][8]

He served for one two-year term in the State House of Representatives and one four-year term in the State Senate,[9] during which he served as Senate Majority Leader.[10]

2010 State House of Representatives election

Rosendale announced he would run for the Montana House of Representatives[11] to represent House District 38, which covers Wibaux and part of Dawson county. Also seeking the Republican nomination were Edward Hilbert and Alan Doane, the latter of which ended up succeeding Rosendale in the Montana House. Rosendale prevailed, receiving 48.4% of the vote, with Doane receiving 41.3% and Hilbert receiving 10.4%.[12]

Rosendale went on to defeat a Democratic incumbent State Representative Dennis Getz in the general election, receiving 52.7% of the vote to Getz's 47.3%.[13]

2010 General Election for Montana's 38th House of Representatives District[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	1,932	52.7
	Democratic	Dennis Getz (incumbent)	1,735	47.3
Total votes			3,667	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic

2011 House session

During the 2011 legislative session, Rosendale served on several committees including the Business and Labor Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Local Government Committee.[15]

2012 State Senate election

In 2012, with State Senator Donald Steinbeisser's being ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits,[16] Rosendale announced he would run for the Montana State Senate to represent Senate District 19, a heavily Republican district in eastern Montana.[17]

After running unopposed in the Republican primary,[18] Rosendale defeated Democrat Fred Lake in the general election, receiving 67.6% of the vote to Lake's 32.4%.[19]

2012 General Election for Montana's 19th Senate District[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	5,929	67.6
	Democratic	Fred Lake	2,842	32.4
Total votes			8,771	100.0

2013 Senate session

During the 2013 legislative session, Rosendale served as Vice Chair of the Natural Resources and Transportation Committee. He also served on the Finance and Claims Committee, the Highways and Transportation Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.[15] During this legislative session, Rosendale was the primary sponsor of a resolution urging Congress to submit a balanced budget amendment to states.[21] He also was the primary sponsor of a bill which became law to prevent law enforcement from using drones for surveillance purposes.[22]

Based on Rosendale's voting record in the 2013 legislative session, he earned a 100% on the Montana Family Foundation's scorecard[23] and was also named a "Champion of Business" by the Montana Chamber of Commerce.[24]

2015 Senate session and Majority Leader tenure

Due to state redistricting in 2014, Rosendale represented Senate District 18 for the remainder of his tenure.[25] In 2014, Rosendale's colleagues in the State Senate, elected him to serve as the Senate Majority Leader.[10] During the 2015 legislative session, he also served as the Chair of the Rules Committee and as a member of the Finance and Claims Committee and Natural Resources and Transportation Committee.[15] During the session, Rosendale was the primary sponsor of a bill to authorize direct primary care provider plans which passed both houses of the legislature before being vetoed by Democratic Governor Steve Bullock.[26]

Rosendale's voting record in the 2015 session earned him perfect 100% scores on several organizations' scorecards including the Montana Family Foundation.[27] He was the recipient of the American Conservative Union's "Award for Conservative Excellence"[28] and was again named a "Champion of Business" by the Montana Chamber of Commerce.[29]

Montana State Auditor

2016

With State Auditor Monica Lindeen ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits,[30] Rosendale decided to run for the open State Auditor position.[31]

Rosendale ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[32] In the general election, Rosendale faced Jesse Laslovich,[33] who was Chief Legal Counsel to State Auditor Monica Lindeen and was widely considered to be one of Montana's rising political stars.[34]

Despite being outspent 4:1,[35] Rosendale defeated Democrat Jesse Laslovich receiving 53.6% of the vote to Laslovich's 46.4%.[36] At the time, this was the most expensive State Auditor's race in Montana state history.

Montana State Auditor election, 2016[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	256,378	53.6
	Democratic	Jesse Laslovich	221,551	46.4
Total votes			477,929	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic

2018 U.S. Senate election

In 2017, Rosendale announced he would seek the Republican nomination to challenge two-term incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester.[38]

In a competitive four-way primary, Rosendale faced District Judge Russell Fagg, State Senator Al Olszewski, and combat veteran Troy Downing.[11] Rosendale won the Republican primary with 33.8% of the vote, to Fagg's 28.3%, Downing's 19.1% and Olszewski's 18.7%.[39]

Republican primary results[40]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	51,859	33.8%
	Republican	Russ Fagg	43,465	28.3%
	Republican	Troy Downing	29,341	19.1%
	Republican	Al Olszewski	28,681	18.7%
Total votes			153,346	100.00%

After the primary, Rosendale was endorsed by President Donald Trump[41] and Vice President Mike Pence.[42] Trump visited the state to campaign for Rosendale four times,[43] with Pence visiting three times.[44]

Polls showed the race in a statistical tie going into election day,[45] in what was the most expensive election in Montana history, with more than $70 million spent on both sides.[46] Tester's campaign had a huge cash advantage, raising and spending $21 million to Rosendale's $6 million.[47]

In the general election, Tester won 50.3% of the vote to Rosendale's 46.8%, with Libertarian candidate Rick Breckenridge taking 2.9%.[48]

2018 United States Senate election in Montana

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jon Tester (incumbent)	253,876	50.3
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	235,963	46.8
	Libertarian	Rick Breckenridge	14,545	2.9
Total votes			504,384	100.0

Tenure

As State Auditor, Rosendale approved direct primary care[26] and Medi-Share.[49]

He has refused to accept a pay raise every single year.[50]

As State Auditor, Rosendale is also one of five members of the Montana State Land Board, which oversees the 5.2 million acres in the state trust land.[51] As a member of the Montana State Land Board, Rosendale voted to expand access to over 45,000 acres (18,000 ha) of public land.[52]

In 2017, Rosendale proposed legislation which would create a reinsurance program so that individuals with pre-existing conditions could access affordable health coverage. This legislation passed both houses of the legislature before being vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock.[53] Rosendale condemned Governor Bullock's veto stating, "the governor has sacrificed good, bipartisan policy in favor of bad, partisan politics."[54]

Rosendale then worked with a bipartisan group of Montana officials to create a reinsurance program and were granted a waiver to do so by the federal government.[55] The program is currently operational.[56]

In 2019, Rosendale proposed legislation targeting Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) and a practice known as spread pricing.[57] The legislation passed both houses of the legislature[58] before being vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock.[59] Rosendale again condemned Governor Bullock saying his veto "is a gift to the pharmaceutical and insurance industries and it's a slap in the face to consumers."[60]

U.S. House of Representatives

2014

In 2013, incumbent Representative Steve Daines announced that he would not seek re-election and would instead run for the United States Senate.[61] Following this, Rosendale announced he would be running to succeed him in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to Rosendale, the Republican field included former State Senators Ryan Zinke and Corey Stapleton, State Representative Elsie Arntzen, and real estate investor Drew Turiano.[62]

Rosendale came in third place with 28.8% of the vote, behind Zinke with 33.3% of the vote and Stapleton with 29.3% of the vote. Arntzen and Turiano received 6.9% and 1.7% respectively.[63]

2014 Republican Primary Election for Montana's At-Large Congressional District[64]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ryan Zinke	43,766	33.3
	Republican	Corey Stapleton	38,591	29.3
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	37,965	28.8
	Republican	Elsie Arntzen	9,011	6.9
	Republican	Drew Turiano	2,290	1.7
Total votes			131,623	100.0

2020

In June 2019, Congressman Greg Gianforte announced that he would not be seeking re-election and would instead run for Governor to replace term-limited Governor Steve Bullock.[65] Days later, Rosendale announced he would run for the open congressional seat.[66]

Rosendale received the early endorsement of President Donald Trump.[67] He also received early endorsements from elected officials around the country including Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Rand Paul, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and Congressman Jim Jordan,[68] as well as the endorsement of the Crow Tribe of Montana.[69]

He won the six-way Republican primary with 48.3% of the vote, carrying all of Montana's 56 counties.[70]

2020 Republican Primary Election for Montana's At-Large Congressional District [71]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	104,286	48.3
	Republican	Corey Stapleton	71,593	33.2
	Republican	Debra Lamm	14,418	6.7
	Republican	Joe Dooling	13,689	6.3
	Republican	Mark McGinley	7,790	3.6
	Republican	John Evankovich	3,965	1.8
Total votes			215,471	100.0

Rosendale defeated Democrat Kathleen Williams in the general election in November, capturing 56.4% of the vote to Williams' 43.6%.[72]

2020 General Election for Montana's At-Large Congressional District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rosendale	339,020	56.4
	Democratic	Kathleen Williams	262,254	43.6
Total votes			601,274	100.0

Committee assignments

• Committee on Veterans Affairs
• Committee on Natural Resources[73]

Caucus memberships

• Freedom Caucus [74]

Personal life

Rosendale and his wife, Jean, reside on a ranch north of Glendive.[75] The couple has three adult children.[35]

References

1. Drake, Phil (July 3, 2018). "Who is Matt Rosendale? Trump rally to support Montana's GOP Senate candidate". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
2. "Matt M. Rosendale | Commissioner of Securities and Insurance". The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
3. Durnal, Halle. "Rosendale will create jobs if elected to Senate". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
4. Cates-Carney, Corin. "Candidate Profile: Matt Rosendale". www.mtpr.org. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
5. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "Rosendale hoping alignment with Trump will help carry him to U.S. Senate". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
6. Star, SUE ROESLER, The Prairie. "GATE show celebrates agriculture, agri-businesses". AgUpdate. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
7. Drake, Phil. "Candidate Matt Rosendale says he'll support Trump policies in Montana". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
8. "Matt Rosendale". The Laurel Outlook. October 4, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
9. "Legislator Information: Matt Rosendale".
10. "On heels of Senate loss, Montana's Matt Rosendale running for Congress — again". Roll Call. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
11. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "As U.S. Senate primary nears, GOP candidates seek to separate selves from pack". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
12. "Montana 2010 Legislative Primary Election Results" (PDF).
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14. "2010 Statewide Montana General Election Canvas" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
15. "Legislator Details: Matt Rosendale".
16. "Montana State Senate elections, 2012". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
17. "Montana State Senate District 19". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
18. "Montana 2012 Legislative Primary Election Results" (PDF).
19. "Montana 2012 Legislative General Election Results" (PDF).
20. "2012 Statewide Montana General Election Canvas" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
21. "LAWS Detailed Bill Information Page". laws.leg.mt.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
22. "LAWS Detailed Bill Information Page". laws.leg.mt.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
23. "Montana Family Foundation 2013 Legislative Scorecard" (PDF).
24. "Montana Chamber of Commerce 2013 Voting Review" (PDF).
25. "Montana Legislative Districts For Elections Held in 2014-2022" (PDF).
26. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "Direct primary care, twice vetoed by governor, advanced by Rosendale". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
27. "Montana Family Foundation 2015 Legislative Scorecard" (PDF).
28. "ACU 2015 Ratings of Montana" (PDF).
29. "Montana Chamber of Commerce 2015 Voting Review" (PDF).
30. Bureau, IR State. "Lindeen eyes run for secretary of state". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
31. "Matthew Rosendale Enters State Auditor Race". www.mtpr.org. Associated Press. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
32. "Montana 2016 Statewide Primary Election Results" (PDF).
33. Michels, Holly. "Rosendale has 10-point lead over Laslovich in auditor's race; 24 percent undecided". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
34. "State Senator resigns seat, takes top legal post". The Billings Gazette. Associated Press. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
35. "Meet Matt". Matt Rosendale For Montana. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
36. "Montana 2016 Statewide General Election Results" (PDF).
37. "Montana Auditor Results: Matt Rosendale Wins". August 1, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
38. O'Brien, Edward. "Matt Rosendale Announces Run For Montana Senate Seat". www.mtpr.org. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
39. "Montana 2018 Statewide Primary Election Results" (PDF).
41. Oprysko, Caitlin. "Trump boosts Rosendale in tight Montana Senate race". POLITICO. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
42. "Vice President Mike Pence stumps for Rosendale in Kalispell; Tester campaigns in Missoula | 406 Politics | billingsgazette.com". billingsgazette.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
43. "Trump to go to Montana for 4th rally for GOP Senate hopeful". AP NEWS. October 30, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
44. "Vice president to campaign for Rosendale in Kalispell". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
45. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "In final push to election day, Tester and Rosendale stay the course". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
46. "More than $70 million spent in Montana US Senate race". AP NEWS. December 10, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
47. "2018 Election United States Senate - Montana". FEC.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
48. "Montana U.S. Senate Election Results". New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
49. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "Health care cost-sharing program Medi-Share now in Montana". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
50. Drake, Phil. "Pay hikes kick in July 1 for some state elected officials". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
51. "Matt M. Rosendale | Commissioner of Securities and Insurance". The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
52. "MONTANA: Public lands issues loom large in primaries". www.eenews.net. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
53. Drake, Phil. "Veto sparks angry response trom insurance coverage". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
54. "Rosendale Slams Bullock's Veto of HB 652". The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. May 9, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
55. Chrestenson, Nick. "Trump Administration Approves Montana Reinsurance Waiver". Newstalk KGVO. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
56. Christian, Peter. "Rosendale says Reinsurance Makes Health Insurance Rates Lower". Newstalk KGVO. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
57. "Montana Legislature: Bill takes aim at 'middle man' to lower prescription drug costs". Missoula Current. February 1, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
58. "LAWS Detailed Bill Information Page". laws.leg.mt.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
59. "Bullock vetoes high-profile bill meant to rein in drug prices; says it would do the opposite". KRTV. May 9, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
60. "BULLOCK VETOES SB 71, SIDES WITH DRUG INDUSTRY OVER MONTANANS". The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. May 9, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
61. Dennison, Mike. "Daines announces candidacy for U.S. Senate". missoulian.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
62. "United States House of Representatives elections in Montana, 2014". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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64. "2014 Statewide Montana Primary Election Canvas" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
65. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "Gianforte files to run for governor in 2020". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
66. [email protected], HOLLY K. MICHELS. "Rosendale running for Montana's US House seat in 2020". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
67. Drake, Phil. "Trump endorses Rosendale in U.S. House race". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
68. Christian, Peter. "President Trump has Endorsed Matt Rosendale for U.S. House". Newstalk KGVO. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
69. "Crow Tribal Chairman endorses Trump campaign". Indian Country Today. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
70. "Montana Secretary of State". electionresults.mt.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
71. "2020 Primary Election". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
72. "Rosendale and Williams will face off for Montana's U.S. House seat". KRTV. June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
73. "Representative Rosendale Lands Two Committees Assignments Critical To Montana". U.S. Representative Matt Rosendale. January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
74. "House Freedom Fund". www.housefreedomfund.com. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
75. "Matt M. Rosendale - Commissioner of Securities and Insurance". csimt.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2018.

External links

• Representative Matt Rosendale, official U.S. House website
• Matt Rosendale for Congress
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress