Former President Donald Trump recently referred to U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (MT-D) as a "radical left lunatic." 

It would appear some of the people of Montana would agree.

A recent poll, according to the Washington Times, found many of the people of Montana would seem to want just about anyone to be their senator other than Tester.

This comes as Tester is facing a difficult reelection bid against Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who has Trump's coveted endorsement.

"Radical left lunatic" masquerading as a Trump supporter

Before we get to the poll results, we'll briefly take a look at what Trump recently had to say about Tester.

The remarks, according to Just the News, came on Friday night, when Trump appeared in Bozeman, Montana, to campaign on behalf of Sheehy. There Trump attempted to expose the truth about Tester.

"Tester, everyone thinks he's like my best friend. He's never for me once, and yet his commercials are 'I like Donald Trump very much,'" Trump began.

He continued, "[Tester] said, 'I love [Trump's] pride, I love his border stance.' He votes against the border. He voted against funding of the border. [Tester] said 'I love [Trump's] stance on energy,' he voted against our energy programs."

Trump concluded:

He votes against us 100% of the time. He's voted in favor of Joe Biden 100% of the time. He did it last time with the election, we had the same problem. You remember he comes out everyone saying he really likes your policy a lot. He does it like he's a radical left lunatic, just like [Vice President] Kamala [Harris]."

"Anybody"

The Washington Times spoke with Montana voters, asking them who they want to be their next senator.

The outlet reports:

“It just, it’s like anybody but Tester,” said Doug Gagner of Shelby, Montana. “He lost sight of Montana probably three elections ago.”

The surprising bit is that actual polls have the race between Tester and Sheehy close. A recent poll from Emerson College and The Hill, for example, has the race within the poll's margin of error, suggesting that the race is a toss-up.

One thing that makes this so surprising is the fact that, although Montana used to be more of a purplish state, it has become a stronghold for Trump and his fellow Republicans.

Trump dominated Montana in the last two presidential elections - in 2016, against Hillary Clinton, and, in 2020, against Joe Biden. Trump, no doubt, is hoping that some of his success in Montana can rub off on Sheehy.