A spokesman for Rep. Matt Rosendale fired back Monday after former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) revealed on a podcast that she had heard a “little rumor” that the Montana Republican knocked up a young staffer and may be forced to resign.
“Just a little rumor – I think [the GOP] caucus may lose a member in the next couple days,” Heitkamp said during an appearance on the “Talking Feds with Harry Litman” podcast. “Might be the congressman from Montana.”
Heitkamp, 68, who lost her re-election bid to Republican Kevin Cramer in 2018, went on to suggest that the “rumor” was a reason why Rosendale, 63, suspended his campaign for the Senate earlier this month, just days after announcing his bid.
“Just to gossip a little bit: There’s a reason why Rosendale backed out of that Senate race — the rumor is he impregnated a 20-year-old staff person,” Heitkamp claimed.
Rosendale’s office vehemently denied the accusation, and noted that the congressman’s attorneys would soon be involved in the matter.
“This is 100% false and defamatory and former Senator Heitkamp will be hearing from our lawyers soon,” Ron Kovach, the Montana Republican’s communications director, told The Post.
Rosendale, who is married and has three children, backed out of his Senate bid on Feb. 15, less than a week after entering the race to challenge Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) — citing former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his GOP primary opponent, former Navy SEAL and businessman Tim Sheehy.
“With Trump endorsing my opponent and the lack of resources, the hill was just too steep,” Rosendale said in a statement explaining his decision.
Heitkamp is currently the director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago.
The Post has reached out to a spokesperson for the institute for comment.
