Kurt Alme’s Candidacy for Senate Amid Controversy
Kurt Alme, who is vying for a U.S. Senate seat in Montana, faces scrutiny due to his previous association with an organization implicated in a sexual abuse incident involving a minor.
In 2010, Alme took on the role of general counsel for the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Foundation, the fundraising division of the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch located in Billings. His tenure as foundation president spanned from 2013 to 2017.
The ranch is known for providing therapeutic and residential care to at-risk youth. While it does not specifically identify as a Christian establishment, its mission statement on the website highlights a treatment approach centered around faith and trust in a loving creator.
In 2018, a legal case was brought against the ranch by a mother who alleged that her son, aged 10 at the time, was sexually abused by peers between 2013 and 2014. The victim recounted incidents where one boy exposed himself and physically assaulted him, while another engaged in indecent acts.
The victim reported these incidents to the staff at the time, but claimed his concerns were dismissed, and he was instructed to return to bed. The lawsuit accused the ranch of negligence and insufficient supervision.
A jury ruled in favor of the victim, awarding $300,000 in damages to his family. However, the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch denied any misconduct on their part.
Alme’s career as U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana included terms from 2017 to 2020 and from 2025 to 2026. Recently, he filed to run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Republican Sen. Steve Daines, who announced his retirement by the end of the year.
Alme’s entry into the race coincided with Daines’s retirement announcement, which also marked the deadline for new candidates to join the race. This timing has sparked speculation that there might have been coordination between Daines and Alme to limit the field of candidates.
Both Sen. Steve Daines and President Donald Trump have expressed their support for Alme’s campaign.
