University of Montana President Seth Bodnar is expected to enter the U.S. Senate race as an Independent, a strategy reportedly supported by former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, which has sparked Democratic outrage. A spokesperson confirmed to Montana Free Press that Bodnar plans to resign from his university role before announcing his candidacy. This move raised speculation about Tester’s intentions, as he seems not to be endorsing a Democratic challenger against Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who has been a strong federal contender.
Democrats Reilly Neill, a former state legislator, and Air Force veteran Alani Bankhead have registered Senate campaigns with the Federal Elections Commission. A text message—allegedly from Tester—criticizes the Democratic Party’s current influence, claiming it hurt his past election bids. The text ends by predicting Neill’s defeat. However, no one has confirmed the message’s source, and the original sender’s phone number was removed, leaving only the initials “JT.”
Todd Buchanan, chair of the Montana Board of Regents, said he had no knowledge of Bodnar’s Senate ambitions. Buchanan’s father, Gary, previously ran as an Independent for Montana’s eastern U.S. House district in 2022, securing 21.8% of the votes, slightly surpassing the Democrat candidate’s share. Neill registered her candidacy shortly after Tester lost his reelection to Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy in 2024. Neill expressed that her focus is on key issues like healthcare and cost of living rather than political rumors.
Democratic circles are concerned about Tester’s perceived support for an Independent candidate. Former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer criticized the development, suggesting it benefits Republicans. Schweitzer emphasized the importance of supporting party candidates, even those with little name recognition. He pointed to Jon Tester’s successful Senate race against Republican Conrad Burns as a testament to underdog victories.
Schweitzer attributed the push for an Independent candidate to the “consultant industrial complex,” citing the 2024 Nebraska Senate race as a model, where an Independent nearly defeated a Republican incumbent. Steve Daines is a dominant Republican figure in Montana, winning elections by significant margins since 2012. His smallest victory margin was 9.4% in a U.S. House race.
Bodnar, president of the University of Montana since late 2018, graduated from West Point and served in the Green Berets. He previously worked on locomotive projects at General Electric. The announcement of his potential Senate run has intensified the debate about the Democratic Party’s future in Montana, highlighted at the party’s convention in Livingston.
Tester, who addressed the convention remotely, stated that the Democratic Party faces challenges due to its focus on blue districts. Max Johansen, the newly elected vice chair, criticized Tester for his handling of the 2024 election, leading to Johansen’s swift resignation and the party’s apology to Tester. Tester later commented on his changed role within the party, accepting that some members no longer see his value.
This story was updated Jan. 14, 2026, following clarification from Bodnar’s spokesperson regarding his plans during a potential Senate bid.
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