A recent Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll highlights a crowded U.S. Senate race in Montana, with many candidates unknown to voters. The survey of 810 registered voters in late April and May shows over 40% are unfamiliar with leading candidates Republican Kurt Alme and independent Seth Bodnar, former University of Montana president. The race, one of only three in 50 years without an incumbent, pulled attention after Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines withdrew.
Notably, voters struggled to recognize the race’s Democrats. Reilly Neill, a former state representative, was unfamiliar to 60% of voters, while over 70% didn’t know Alani Bankhead or Michael Hummert. Alme, endorsed by both Steve Daines and Donald Trump, raised nearly $1 million in campaign funds in the first quarter. However, only 16% of voters had a favorable impression of him. Among Republicans, 29% viewed him unfavorably, 48% claimed not to know him, and 21% had no opinion.
In the Republican primary, about 73% of voters leaned towards Alme, with Charles Walking Child and Lee Calhoun trailing at 15% and 12%, respectively. Meanwhile, 13% of voters viewed Bodnar negatively, whereas 21% held a favorable view. Bodnar’s favorability among Democrats reached 44%, while only 6% of Republicans and 21% of independents shared this sentiment. Bodnar raised $1.4 million in the first quarter, positioning him as another well-funded candidate.
Reilly Neill, campaigning since the 2024 election, was the most known Democrat, but still, only 13% viewed her favorably. Among other Democrats, only Michael Black Wolf earned double-digit favorability at 11%. Despite minimal funding among Democratic candidates, Neill’s campaign had over $100,000 on hand by the quarter’s end. Alani Bankhead received notable support through Progressive Vet PAC’s investment in promotion efforts.
The poll, conducted by Rutgers New Brunswick Eagleton Institute of Politics, surveyed 815 voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.3%.
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