{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/07/daines-sheehy-congratulate-kurt-alme-on-senate-confirmation-to-be-u-s-attorney-for-the-district-of-montana/", "Daines, Sheehy Congratulate Kurt\u00a0Alme\u00a0on Senate Confirmation to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", "daines", "https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "U.S. SENATE \u2013 U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy released the below statement following the news that Kurt Alme has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana.\n\n\u201cKurt Alme is an excellent pick to serve as our U.S. Attorney for Montana. Kurt has already done an incredible job in his interim capacity and we are thrilled to see his final confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Kurt will crack down on drug trafficking and crime, protect our indigenous communities, and uphold the rule of law, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact that he will have on our great state,\u201d they said.\n\nStatements of Support:\n\nAustin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General: \u201c[I] personally worked with Kurt while I served as the elected County Attorney in Roosevelt County, Montana. I can personally vouch for his work ethic and his desire to aggressively pursue crime and drugs in Montana. Montana is facing an unprecedented pandemic of Mexican cartel illicit drugs. . . . As Montana Attorney General, I need an aggressive U.S. Attorney to partner with my efforts to combat these evils. Kurt Alme is that U.S. Attorney.\u201d Click HERE to download Knudsen\u2019s letter.\n\nJosh Racki, Cascade County Attorney and President of the Montana County Attorneys Association: \u201cOn behalf of the [MCAA], we are writing to express our strong support for the recommendation of Mr. Kurt Alme as the nominee for United States Attorney for the District of Montana. . . . The MCAA firmly believes that Mr. Alme\u2019s comprehensive understanding of Montana\u2019s unique challenges, his collaborative approach, and his unwavering dedication to justice make him the ideal candidate for U.S. Attorney.\u201d Click HERE to download the MCAA\u2019s letter.\n\nMike Linder, Yellowstone County Sheriff and President of the Montana Sheriff\u2019s and Peace Officers Association: \u201cDuring his previous tenure as Montana\u2019s U.S. Attorney, Kurt worked tirelessly to bring Montana\u2019s law enforcement partners together in the fight against the proliferation of methamphetamine in our communities. In addition, Kurt\u2019s commitment and success in bringing local, state, and federal law enforcement officers together through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, has been instrumental in reducing violent crimes, and holding local criminals accountable for their actions.\u201d Click HERE to download Linder\u2019s letter.\n\nShelly Fyant, HD 91 Representative to the Montana House and former Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Chairwoman: \u201cWhen I served on the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council (2014-2021), I saw the work the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office did focusing on reducing methamphetamine and opioid related overdoses and violent crimes, which not only plague the Flathead Indian Reservation, but reservations throughout Montana and the Nation. Mr. Alme\u2019s hands-on approach was greatly appreciated as he frequently visited Montana reservations and met directly with Tribal leaders about specific drug abuse and trafficking, public safety and Missing & Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) issues including victim services. . . . U.S. Attorney Alme\u2019s leadership was informed, dedicated and heartfelt, qualities Indian Country citizens value to address these complicated issues.\u201d Click HERE to download Fyant\u2019s letter.\n\nPeter Habein, former Partner at Crowley Fleck and Chair of the Ethics Committee of the State Bar of Montana: \u201cFor nearly 30 years or so, I served as our firm\u2019s general counsel, and for the last 17 years, I have served as a member and chair of the Ethics Committee of the State Bar of Montana. I hope, therefore, that when I say Kurt is one of the most conscientiously ethical lawyers I know, it carries some weight. Kurt is scrupulous in his observance of ethical standards, both for himself and for the organizations he has led. His adherence to high ethical standards in no small measure contributes to the integrity and honesty for which he is universally admired.\u201d Click HERE to download Habein\u2019s letter.\n\nBryan Lockerby, former Administrator of the Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Department of Justice; and former Captain of the Great Falls Police Department: \u201cHaving had the privilege of working with Mr. Alme professionally over the years, both at the state and federal levels, I can confidently attest to his exceptional qualifications, steadfast integrity, and unwavering commitment to public safety. . . . Mr. Alme\u2019s demonstrated commitment to supporting law enforcement and recognizing the sacrifices they make for our communities is further illustrated by his advocacy efforts. His leadership, expertise, and dedication to justice make him an exceptional candidate for the role of U.S. Attorney.\u201d Click HERE to download Lockerby\u2019s letter.\n\nLiz Moore, former Executive Director, Montana Nonprofit Association: \u201c[Mr. Alme] prioritizes effectiveness and results, with no regard for who gets the credit. If I were to search Montana for an individual I believe fitted for this role \u2013 someone with a strong legal background, a deep, holistic understanding of the serious mental health issues and substance addictions and their impact on Montana\u2019s peoples and communities, who is reasoned, smart, a servant to Montana and most important, leads with integrity \u2013 I would recommend Kurt Alme.\u201d Click HERE to download Moore\u2019s letter.\n\nKen Bray, former Montana Resident Agent in Charge for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: \u201cIn my 27-year federal law enforcement career, I have seen very few professionals in the criminal justice system with the breadth of working knowledge of virtually all issues that face law enforcement. . . . Kurt\u2019s ability to both understand the issues and lead others in the implementation of a solution is among the best I have ever seen. . . . His reputation as a prosecutor, manager, and individual is above reproach. He is respected throughout all quarters of the criminal justice system in Montana.\u201d Click HERE to download Bray\u2019s letter.\n\nStacy Zinn, former Montana Resident Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration: \u201cEnforcement was not the only area where Mr. Alme dedicated his time. . . . Mr. Alme arranged partnerships between parties that worked in prevention, treatment, and enforcement in order to reduce substance abuse and substance abuse related crime. . . . The above are just a few examples of Mr. Alme\u2019s outstanding work as the Montana U.S. Attorney and the timing is right for the return of Mr. Alme.\u201d Click HERE to download Zinn\u2019s letter.\n\nBrian Gootkin, Director of Montana Department of Corrections, former Gallatin County Sheriff: \u201c[I] always found Mr. Alme\u2019s dedication and service for Montana to be unwavering. His vigor for tackling the drug epidemic and violent crime in Montana is well respected by our citizens and law enforcement. His work to seek justice for missing and murdered Indigenous persons in our state is exemplary. You would be hard pressed to find a citizen and public servant more dedicated to protecting the people of our great state than Mr. Alme.\u201d Click HERE to download Gootkin\u2019s letter.\n\nErnie Weyand, former FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in Montana, U.S. DOJ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person Coordinator, and U.S. Army Veteran: \u201cAs an AUSA, Kurt was an exceptional prosecutor who effectively managed a diverse caseload and aggressively prosecuted deserving criminals. . . . While Kurt served as First Assistant and U.S. Attorney, federal [Indian Country] prosecutions rose dramatically, as did support services for victims of assault, sexual abuse, and drug trafficking. . . . Kurt has demonstrated great skill in collaborating with local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement officials, and he is widely respected by law enforcement officers throughout Montana and beyond.\u201d Click HERE to download Weyand\u2019s letter.\n\nKirsten Pabst, former Missoula County Attorney: \u201cIn my thirty years in criminal justice and three terms as the Missoula County Attorney, I have yet to encounter a more dedicated and effective leader.\u201d Click HERE to download Pabst\u2019s letter.\n\nAbout Kurt Alme:\n\nAlme is a Great Falls native who grew up in Dillon, Victor, and Helena before graduating high school in Miles City. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado with his bachelor\u2019s degree in business, cum laude from Harvard Law School, and is a Harry S. Truman Scholar.\n\nAlme served as U.S. Attorney for Montana from 2017-2020. In that role he chaired the DOJ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons working group, vice-chaired the Native American Issues Subcommittee of the Attorney General\u2019s Advisory Committee, and vice-chaired the four state Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Task Force Area. He previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney and then First Assistant in the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office where he prosecuted cases in federal district court and argued them before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He started his legal career as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Charles Lovell before joining the Crowley Fleck law firm where he rose to partner.\n\nHe served as Budget Director for the state of Montana and Director of the Montana Department of Revenue where he oversaw all of its major civil litigation. Alme was the President and General Counsel of the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation, which supports the treatment of Montana youth suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse.\n\nAlme has also volunteered with the Billings Gazette Editorial Board; St. Vincent Healthcare Board of Directors; Attorney General\u2019s Intelligence Advisory Board; University of Montana Law School Tax Institute Advisory Committee; St. John\u2019s Lutheran Ministries Board; MSU-Billings Law and Justice Advisory Committee; Mental Health Association and Rotary International.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/2025/10/07/daines-sheehy-congratulate-kurt-alme-on-senate-confirmation-to-be-u-s-attorney-for-the-district-of-montana/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.003147965297103, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}