Bipartisan supermajority of Montana Senate calls on Sen. Windy Boy to resign

HELENA, Mont. - A bipartisan supermajority of Montana state senators signed a letter on Wednesday calling on Senator Jonathan Windy Boy (D-Box Elder) to resign from public office. 40 Republican and Democratic senators signed, out of 50 total representing the state. Windy Boy has faced numerous accusations of sexual harassment spanning decades.

"The gravity of these allegations and the duty we have to protect the integrity of our institution and the people it serves leaves us no choice," the group wrote.

Windy Boy was stripped from committee assignments earlier this month.

The bipartisan letter called the allegations "disturbing" and said several of them were well-documented.

"We recognize that you have a right to due process and the presumption of innocence," the senators wrote. "However, allegations of this nature—involving minors and abuse of position—carry serious implications for the credibility and functioning of the Legislature. The continued controversy surrounding these allegations risks undermining public confidence in the Montana Senate and distracting from the work of the Legislature."

The letter continued, "Choosing to resign is an opportunity to uphold the high standard that the public expects of its lawmakers and to show your dedication to the dignity of the Montana Senate. We also believe it would be the best decision for you personally, as this issue is not going to go away and will undoubtedly continue to escalate the longer you choose to remain in office."

Windy Boy is currently campaigning to represent central and eastern Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives, an effort that has been repeatedly clouded by controversy. The Montana Democratic Party Chair Shannon O'Brien announced Windy Boy was dropping out of the race in April. However, Windy Boy released a statement in early May saying he had never formally exited the race, only temporarily suspended his campaign. He also called the "renewed publicity" of the allegations against him "a coordinated political smear campaign effort."

Windy Boy's campaign website for the U.S. House remains active.

This article was updated on May 28, 2026 at 2:02 p.m. after the Montana State Senate Democratic Caucus sent a notice that one senator, Denise Hayman, did sign the letter after the first press release did not include her name. The total number of senators who signed was corrected from 39 to 40. Article originally published May 28, 2026 at 10:59 a.m.