[REVISION HISTORY]
Montana U.S. Senate election
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2026-10-19 21:03 UTC → 2026-10-23 13:44 UTC ·
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The Montana U.S. Senate race has progressed from an initial multi-candidate debate to a period of heightened partisan tension as early voting begins. During the first debate in Bozeman, candidates Kurt Alme (Republican), Alani Bankhead (Democrat), Seth Bodnar (Independent), and Kyle Austin (Libertarian) addressed issues such as inflation, healthcare, and the state’s housing crisis. The candidates offered varying approaches to housing, ranging from zoning reform to regulatory changes and tax reductions. As the campaign continues, Independent candidate Seth Bodnar has focused on appealing to Montana’s large bloc of independent voters to reduce partisan conflict. However, the race has become more contentious; Republican nominee Kurt Alme’s supporters have characterized Bodnar as a ‘Democrat in disguise,’ while some Democratic figures have pressured Alani Bankhead to withdraw to avoid splitting the left-leaning vote. Polling indicates that left-leaning voters remain divided between Bodnar and Bankhead. In a rare move for a prominent Democrat, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has endorsed Bodnar. Buttigieg, a former University of Montana president and Green Beret, stated that while he and Bodnar do not agree on everything, Bodnar possesses the ‘character necessary to serve Montanans.’ Bankhead, an Air Force veteran who won the Democratic primary in June, has refused calls to withdraw. She has alleged that individuals within the Democratic Party attempted to pressure her into dropping her bid, a claim the party denies. This division between the Democratic nominee and the independent candidate threatens to split the vote intended to challenge Republican control of the seat.
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