Buttigieg endorses independent Bodnar over Democrat Bankhead in Montana Senate race

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed independent Seth Bodnar on Friday in Montana's Senate race. He chose Bodnar over the Democratic nominee, Alani Bankhead, who is still on the ballot ¹².

Bodnar's campaign announced the endorsement. ABC News reported it first ¹².

The best leaders I've served with, in uniform and in government, care more about getting the job done than about who gets the credit, and Seth is one of them,

Buttigieg, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said he and Bodnar "don't agree on everything." He said Bodnar has spent his adult life serving the country, "from the Army Green Berets to the University of Montana" ².

Bodnar will not join a party caucus

Bodnar, 47, is a retired Army Green Beret and was until recently president of the University of Montana. He says that if elected, he will not caucus with Democrats or Republicans ². A caucus is the group of senators who organize together, which matters when parties fight over who controls the chamber.

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He faces Republican nominee Kurt Alme and Bankhead. Republican Sen. Steve Daines decided shortly before the March filing deadline not to seek reelection, which opened the seat ².

Pressure on Bankhead

Bankhead has faced numerous calls to drop out so Bodnar has a clearer shot. She has refused ¹. With both on the ballot, they are likely to split the vote of people not backing Alme ².

Even if she did quit, Montana law would require the party to name a new nominee ¹.

Other Democrats have already sided with Bodnar. They include former Sen. Jon Tester of Montana. Shannon O'Brien, the state Democratic Party chair, resigned earlier this month and endorsed him ¹.

The numbers

Decision Desk HQ, an election forecaster, rates the race "likely Republican." Its polling average as of Friday morning had Alme at 41.9 percent, Bodnar at 29.4 percent and Bankhead at 17.1 percent ¹.

President Trump held a rally in Montana last week for Alme and House candidate Aaron Flint. Vice President JD Vance is expected to hold one next week ².

That matters because Democrats need every Senate seat they can find. A seat won by an independent who stays outside the Democratic caucus would not directly add to the party's total. The Hill notes that Democrats in Nebraska, South Dakota and Idaho are also backing independents this year ¹.

The vote is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The Record

1. Oct 6, 2026Montana Democratic Party chair Shannon O'Brien resigned earlier this month and endorsed Bodnar (exact day not given; month per report) ¹.
2. Oct 23, 2026Buttigieg endorsed Bodnar over Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead ¹².

Sources

1. The Hill, “Buttigieg endorses independent in Montana Senate race with a Democrat still on the ballot” (2026-10-23). thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6168287-buttigieg-bodnar-monta
2. CBS News, “Buttigieg endorses independent Seth Bodnar in Montana Senate race” (2026-10-23). cbsnews.com/news/buttigieg-endorses-independent-seth-bodnar-

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