Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, considering a 2028 presidential bid, endorsed independent Seth Bodnar over Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead in Montana's Senate race. Bankhead won the Montana Democratic primary in June 2026 but faces pressure as some Democrats believe Bodnar has a better chance against Republican Kurt Alme. The endorsement marks a notable step by a major Democrat to back an independent candidate.
Buttigieg endorsement of Bodnar
- ▪Pete Buttigieg did not mention Alani Bankhead in his Friday endorsement statement of Seth Bodnar
- ▪Pete Buttigieg is a former Transportation Secretary
- ▪Pete Buttigieg stated that Seth Bodnar and Pete Buttigieg do not agree on everything
- ▪Pete Buttigieg endorsed independent Montana U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar
- ▪Pete Buttigieg's endorsement of Seth Bodnar is a notable step by a major Democrat to endorse an independent candidate
Montana independent Senate candidacy
- ▪Seth Bodnar spoke to supporters and the press outside the Yellowstone County Courthouse on August 7, 2026, in Billings, Montana
- ▪Seth Bodnar is a former University of Montana president and Green Beret
- ▪Montana is among states in 2026 where many Democrats are backing independents for Senate, along with Nebraska, South Dakota, and Idaho
- ▪Some Democrats feel Seth Bodnar stands a better chance against Republican Kurt Alme than Democratic candidate Alani Bankhead
Democratic vote-splitting risk
- ▪Alani Bankhead has rebuffed pressure to withdraw from the Montana Senate race to clear a path for Seth Bodnar
- ▪Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead won the Montana Democratic primary in June 2026
- ▪The Montana Senate race matchup has created an additional challenge for those who want to wrest the seat from Republican control, given that the vote among Democrats or those disaffected with Republicans may get split among Seth Bodnar and Alani Bankhead
Bankhead withdrawal pressure
- ▪Alani Bankhead alleged that people within the Democratic Party tried to get Alani Bankhead to drop her Montana Senate bid
- ▪Alani Bankhead addressed the Park County Democratic Central Committee while campaigning for the Montana Senate seat on July 14, 2026, in Livingston, Montana
Republican Alme campaign
- ▪Kurt Alme is a former U.S. Attorney for Montana
- ▪President Donald Trump joined Kurt Alme and other Republicans for a rally in Montana during the week of October 14, 2026
- ▪Kurt Alme is aiming to succeed Republican Senator Steve Daines in the Montana U.S. Senate seat
- ▪Republican Senator Steve Daines is retiring from the Montana U.S. Senate seat
Buttigieg 2028 presidential consideration
- ▪Pete Buttigieg has spent the past two years traveling around the country to stump for Democratic candidates
- ▪Pete Buttigieg spoke at a rally for New Jersey Democratic Congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett at Raritan Valley Community College on October 16, 2026, in Branchburg, New Jersey
- ▪Pete Buttigieg has confirmed considering a 2028 presidential bid
- ▪Pete Buttigieg stated that Pete Buttigieg is more focused on the midterms and electing Democrats in 2026 than on a 2028 presidential run
Perspective of Some Democrats supporting Seth Bodnar
- ▪The Montana Senate race matchup has created an additional challenge for those who want to wrest the seat from Republican control, given that the vote among Democrats or those disaffected with Republicans may get split among Seth Bodnar and Alani Bankhead
- ▪Some Democrats feel Seth Bodnar stands a better chance against Republican Kurt Alme than Democratic candidate Alani Bankhead
Perspective of Alani Bankhead and Democratic nominee supporters
- ▪Alani Bankhead alleged that people within the Democratic Party tried to get Alani Bankhead to drop her Montana Senate bid
- ▪Alani Bankhead has rebuffed pressure to withdraw from the Montana Senate race to clear a path for Seth Bodnar
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