Alani Bankhead, an Air Force veteran, is projected to win Montana's Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday night, an outcome many Democrats anticipated even though she faces long odds in November.
Party Divisions in Montana Senate Race
Many Democrats in the state, including former Senator Jon Tester, are backing Seth Bodnar, a former Green Beret and University of Montana president who is running as an independent. Bodnar's narrow path to victory relies on the Democratic primary winner withdrawing from the contest, allowing him to consolidate opposition against Republican nominee Kurt Alme, a former U.S. Attorney.
Uncertainty Over Bankhead's Next Move
It remains unclear whether Bankhead will exit the race. Her main competitor, former state legislator Reilly Neill, had pledged to stay in the contest. The dynamics reflect strategic maneuvering: a GOP group aligned with retiring Senator Steve Daines distributed mailers highlighting Neill's liberal positions to boost her with primary voters, while a Democratic group worked to elevate Bankhead.
Parallels to Nebraska
The situation mirrors Nebraska, where the Democratic primary winner pledged to step aside for independent Dan Osborn. Montana, despite being a solidly red state—Trump won it by about 20 points in 2024—has a significant number of persuadable voters. Democrats hope Bodnar, who has raised $2 million and staked out moderate stances, can capitalize on a potential anti-Trump wave.
