On October 12, 2026, Shannon O’Brien resigned as chair of the Montana Democratic Party and endorsed independent candidate Seth Bodnar in the state's open U.S. Senate race. In an op-ed, O’Brien criticized Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead’s platform and ability to win. Bankhead countered that O’Brien actively worked against her campaign. Decision Desk HQ polling showed Republican candidate Kurt Alme leading the four-way race with 43.4% support.
Democratic divisions over Senate race
- ▪Democratic Senate nominee Alani Bankhead stated on October 12, 2026, that Shannon O’Brien worked against Bankhead's campaign since the summer of 2026 and sought a legal opinion regarding candidate replacement
- ▪Shannon O’Brien stated in an October 12, 2026 op-ed that the Montana Democratic Party was deeply divided over the open Montana U.S. Senate race for Steve Daines's seat
O'Brien's critique of Alani Bankhead
- ▪Shannon O’Brien questioned Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead's commitment to abortion rights, support for working people, and views on low-income Montanans in an October 12, 2026 op-ed
- ▪Shannon O’Brien asserted on October 12, 2026, that Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead lacked the resources and will needed to win the Montana U.S. Senate election
Seth Bodnar independent candidacy endorsement
- ▪Shannon O’Brien urged Montana Democrats on October 12, 2026, to support independent candidate Seth Bodnar over Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead
- ▪Shannon O’Brien endorsed independent candidate Seth Bodnar in the Montana U.S. Senate race on October 12, 2026
Montana Senate race polling data
- ▪Decision Desk HQ aggregate polling on October 12, 2026, indicated Republican Kurt Alme held 43.4% support in the Montana Senate race, with independent Seth Bodnar at 27.1% and Democrat Alani Bankhead at 18.3%
- ▪Decision Desk HQ gave Republican Kurt Alme a 91% probability of winning the Montana U.S. Senate seat on October 12, 2026, compared to a 9% win probability for independent Seth Bodnar
Debatable claims
- ▪Montana Democrats should support Seth Bodnar over nominee Alani Bankhead
- ▪Shannon O'Brien's endorsement of an independent candidate violates party duty
- ▪Alani Bankhead holds positions incompatible with core Democratic Party values
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