Daines, Sheehy Congratulate Kurt Alme on Senate Confirmation to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana

• October 7, 2025

U.S. SENATE - 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.

"Kurt 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," they said.

Statements of Support:

Austin Knudsen, Montana Attorney General: "[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." Click HERE to download Knudsen's letter.

Josh Racki, Cascade County Attorney and President of the Montana County Attorneys Association: "On 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's comprehensive understanding of Montana's unique challenges, his collaborative approach, and his unwavering dedication to justice make him the ideal candidate for U.S. Attorney." Click HERE to download the MCAA's letter.

Mike Linder, Yellowstone County Sheriff and President of the Montana Sheriff's and Peace Officers Association: "During his previous tenure as Montana's U.S. Attorney, Kurt worked tirelessly to bring Montana's law enforcement partners together in the fight against the proliferation of methamphetamine in our communities. In addition, Kurt's 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." Click HERE to download Linder's letter.

Shelly Fyant, HD 91 Representative to the Montana House and former Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Chairwoman: "When I served on the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Council (2014-2021), I saw the work the U.S. Attorney's 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's 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's leadership was informed, dedicated and heartfelt, qualities Indian Country citizens value to address these complicated issues." Click HERE to download Fyant's letter.

Peter Habein, former Partner at Crowley Fleck and Chair of the Ethics Committee of the State Bar of Montana: "For nearly 30 years or so, I served as our firm's 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." Click HERE to download Habein's letter.

Bryan Lockerby, former Administrator of the Division of Criminal Investigation, Montana Department of Justice; and former Captain of the Great Falls Police Department: "Having 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's 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." Click HERE to download Lockerby's letter.

Liz Moore, former Executive Director, Montana Nonprofit Association: "[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 - someone with a strong legal background, a deep, holistic understanding of the serious mental health issues and substance addictions and their impact on Montana's peoples and communities, who is reasoned, smart, a servant to Montana and most important, leads with integrity - I would recommend Kurt Alme." Click HERE to download Moore's letter.

Ken Bray, former Montana Resident Agent in Charge for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: "In 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's 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." Click HERE to download Bray's letter.

Stacy Zinn, former Montana Resident Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration: "Enforcement 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's outstanding work as the Montana U.S. Attorney and the timing is right for the return of Mr. Alme." Click HERE to download Zinn's letter.

Brian Gootkin, Director of Montana Department of Corrections, former Gallatin County Sheriff: "[I] always found Mr. Alme's 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." Click HERE to download Gootkin's letter.

Ernie Weyand, former FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in Montana, U.S. DOJ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person Coordinator, and U.S. Army Veteran: "As 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." Click HERE to download Weyand's letter.

Kirsten Pabst, former Missoula County Attorney: "In 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." Click HERE to download Pabst's letter.

About Kurt Alme:

Alme 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's degree in business, cum laude from Harvard Law School, and is a Harry S. Truman Scholar.

Alme 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's 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's 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.

He 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.

Alme has also volunteered with the Billings Gazette Editorial Board; St. Vincent Healthcare Board of Directors; Attorney General's Intelligence Advisory Board; University of Montana Law School Tax Institute Advisory Committee; St. John's Lutheran Ministries Board; MSU-Billings Law and Justice Advisory Committee; Mental Health Association and Rotary International.

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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins