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August 6, 2026
In a park near Last Chance Gulch, signs urged Democrat Alani Bankhead to leave the Senate race. These were placed near where independent candidate Seth Bodnar held a meeting months ago.
The signs read, “Bow Out Bankhead. Stand up for Montana Step Back.” Nearby, a splash of red stained a wall, with weeds growing through the area.
The placards emerged from city property and were later uprooted by unknown individuals. The incident was noted just before the deadline to withdraw from the November ballot.
On social media, Bodnar and Bankhead’s supporters clashed, each urging the other to quit the race. The pro-Bodnar PAC, Montana Freedom PAC, spent over $1 million on ads against Bankhead since July, according to records.
Bankhead, with only $21,000 for her campaign, suggested Bodnar step down, as he holds $1 million in funds and influential support.
Republicans shared a video where Bodnar stated he’d leave the race if another non-Republican could defeat Kurt Alme. The pro-Alme PAC, More Jobs, Less Government, announced a $6,000 text campaign targeting Bankhead, a reminder of their $1 million spent in the Democratic primary.
More Jobs spent $866,000 opposing Bodnar while ignoring Bankhead. On Wednesday, Teton County Democrats expressed no confidence in Bankhead, and the Service Employees International Union backed Bodnar.
On the Flip List
Sam Forstag, Montana’s only competitive Democratic federal candidate, may receive support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
Forstag was added to the DCCC’s “red to blue” list, recognizing Montana’s Western District as competitive after Republican Ryan Zinke opted not to seek reelection, backing Aaron Flint instead.
The DCCC has designated Montana Democratic candidates as “red to blue” in two of the last four elections, spending $95,000 on ads for Monica Tranel in 2024, which she lost to Zinke.
Forstag appeared at a town hall hosted by End Citizens United with former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and spoke on the Grounded Podcast with Tester and journalist Maritsa Georgiou.
Aye Liner
Jami Woodman, manager of Democrat Reilly Neill’s primary campaign, registered as a write-in Senate candidate, opposing the influence of wealthy donors on elections.
Woodman’s write-in candidacy ensures voters can choose a candidate they support, due to changes that require a registered write-in for votes to count.
Two Super PACs poured $5 million into ads during the Democratic primary, boosting candidates Alani Bankhead and Neill.
Bankhead won the primary with 43.7% of the vote, while PAC spending ceased afterward. Woodman’s campaign website is alineontheballot.com, and she paid a $1,740 filing fee to become a write-in candidate.
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