Seth Bodnar to run for Senate as an Independent in Montana

HELENA, Mont. - After much speculation Seth Bodnar will run against Senator Steve Daines as an Independent.

Bodnar, a Green Beret, businessman and former University of Montana President, launched his campaign for U.S. Senate as an Independent, via video release in that video he pledged to fight for hardworking Montanans against a broken political system.

“For too long, Montanans have watched as the American Dream has been held hostage by a broken political system that allows Washington politicians to divide us and line their own pockets while families across our state face higher costs and fewer opportunities,” said Bodnar. “I’m running for Senate as an Independent because Montanans deserve a leader who bridges divides with commonsense solutions, stands up to political elites in Washington, and answers only to Montana, not national party bosses or DC insiders.”

He attended West Point and served multiple overseas deployments, leading soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Special Forces Group, also serving as a special advisor to the commanding general in Iraq.

Bodnar for the last eight years lead the University of Montana. He stepped down from that position shortly after the first of the year.

He cites the national debt, tariffs are taxes along with the costs of housing, healthcare, and child care as major reasons for jumping into the race.

An independent has not successfully maneuvered a winning campaign in Montana. There are currently two independence serving in the United States Senate.

Recent polling data indicated a difference of about 2% between Bodnar running as an independent versus a Democrat, pulling data showed Senator Daines with a commanding lead.

Reilly Neill has announced her intent to run as a Democrat.