Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed independent Seth Bodnar on Friday, October 23, 2026, in the Montana U.S. Senate race. The move comes as Bodnar campaigns for the seat currently held by Republican Senator Steve Daines, who is retiring. Buttigieg’s endorsement of an independent candidate occurs while a Democratic nominee, Alani Bankhead, remains on the ballot.
The endorsement follows a series of similar actions by Democratic figures in the state. Former Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) has expressed support for Bodnar, and Shannon O’Brien resigned as chair of the Montana Democratic Party earlier in October to endorse him. Bodnar is a former University of Montana president and Green Beret, while Bankhead is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former federal agent.
In a statement first reported by ABC News, Buttigieg said Bodnar cares more about "getting the job done than about who gets the credit." He acknowledged that they do not agree on every issue but cited Bodnar’s history of service. Bankhead, who won the Democratic primary in June, has refused requests to withdraw from the race, stating that such a strategy would harm the party in the long term. She also alleged that the Democratic National Committee offered her a job to drop out, a claim the DNC denied.
The situation in Montana reflects a broader strategy where Democrats in states like Nebraska, South Dakota, and Idaho have backed independent candidates to challenge Republican incumbents or nominees. If voters split their support between Bodnar and Bankhead, it may reduce the likelihood of either candidate surpassing Alme, a former U.S. Attorney. The cost of this strategy, as noted by Bankhead, is the potential long-term erosion of the Democratic Party brand in deep-red states in exchange for a short-term electoral advantage that is not yet reflected in polling averages.
What happens next depends on the final weeks of the campaign ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election. While Democratic surrogates like Buttigieg are campaigning for Bodnar, the Republican side is also active; Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to hold a rally in Montana next week following a recent appearance by Donald Trump. Under Montana law, even if Bankhead were to withdraw now, the Democratic Party would be required to name a new nominee for the ballot. The final results will be determined when polls close on Election Day.