Montana lawmaker not picking race yet

Daines then linked to a Public Policy Polling survey of the Montana Senate race.

“A recent poll showed that we are in a strong position to win in 2014,” he said. “And as we consider our next steps, please know that your help and support are critical as we work to bring real change to Washington.”

{mosads}The poll, released earlier this week, shows Daines trailing former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer by 3 points, inside the margin of error. It also found Daines trailing a distant second in a Republican primary against former Gov. Marc Racicot.

Montana Republicans have predicted the two would not compete against each other.

Daines’s office said the fundraising email is not a sign that he is leaning more strongly in favor of the Senate race.

The second-quarter fundraising deadline of June 30 is approaching. Daines would be able to transfer any funds raised for his House race to a potential Senate campaign. He raised about $250,000 in the first quarter.

“That’s why it’s so important that we post a strong second quarter,” he said in the email.

“While these latest poll numbers are encouraging, reaching our fundraising goal will help us show that we are prepared to take on whatever President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi throw our way in 2014,” he said, referring to the Democratic leaders in the Senate and House.

This story was updated at 11:13 a.m.