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Developing story
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed independent Seth Bodnar in Montana’s Senate race on Oct. 23, bypassing the Democratic nominee. The endorsement comes less than two weeks before the November election, with Republican Kurt Alme leading in one polling average.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed independent Seth Bodnar in Montana’s U.S. Senate race on Oct. 23, passing over the Democratic nominee, Alani Bankhead. The Hill and the Washington Examiner both reported the endorsement, which ABC News reported first.
The Washington Examiner reported the move came less than two weeks before the November election. Buttigieg is rumored to be weighing a 2028 presidential run, according to the Examiner.
Buttigieg wrote that Montana “deserves a senator who will fight corruption in Washington,” according to The Hill. He said he and Bodnar do not agree on everything, but that Bodnar has spent his life serving the country.
Bodnar told ABC News he was honored by the endorsement and proud that people “across the political spectrum” were joining his campaign, The Hill reported.
Democrats split
The Hill reported that Bankhead has refused numerous calls to drop out so Bodnar can have a clear field. She has said she will not leave the race. The Hill added that if she did, Montana law would require the party to name a new nominee.
Other Democrats have backed Bodnar. The Hill reported that former Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, supports him. Shannon O’Brien resigned as chair of the Montana Democratic Party earlier in October and endorsed Bodnar, according to The Hill.
The race
Decision Desk HQ rates the race “likely Republican,” The Hill reported. Its polling average as of the morning of Oct. 23 showed Republican Kurt Alme at 41.9 percent, Bodnar at 29.4 percent and Bankhead at 17.1 percent.
This story is developing and will be updated.
Sources
What it means for you
- Montana voters will see three major candidates in the Senate race: Republican Kurt Alme, independent Seth Bodnar and Democrat Alani Bankhead.
- Decision Desk HQ’s polling average has Alme at 41.9 percent, Bodnar at 29.4 percent and Bankhead at 17.1 percent.
- The election is less than two weeks away, according to the Washington Examiner.
- Bankhead says she is staying in, so Democratic-leaning voters remain split between her and Bodnar.