Another Possible Shakeup in the Montana U.S. Senate Race?
Party leaders are debating whether to replace the underfunded nominee, who has raised $21,000, as pressure builds to avoid splitting anti-Republican votes.
- Montana Democrats face pressure to consolidate their U.S. Senate race before the August 10 withdrawal deadline, as observers warn vote splitting between Democrat Alani Bankhead and independent Seth Bodnar could hand the seat to Republican Kurt Alme.
- Party Chair Shannon O'Brien sparked controversy by sharing a confidential Elias Law Group document with county-level leadership, which some board members viewed as an attempt to force Bankhead out of the race.
- Political science professor Paul Pope warns Alme is "almost assured to victory," citing Bankhead's $21,000 in funds versus the roughly $2 million raised by both Alme and Bodnar.
- The Washington Reporter claims Democrats are polling former Gov. Steve Bullock as a potential replacement, though both Bankhead and Bodnar have met and indicated they intend to remain in the race.
- With the August 10 deadline approaching, legal advice confirms the party cannot be forced to select a replacement, and neither candidate has expressed interest in exiting the race.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
ABC FOX MontanaDemocratic Party weighs legal options in turbulent Senate race
Montana Democratic Party leadership has received legal advice about its options should U.S. Senate nominee Alani Bankhead withdraw from the race. Bankhead has publicly stated multiple times that she will not withdraw.
The Billings Gazette
Montana StandardLetter to the editor: Alani Bankhead should withdraw
We are longtime Montana Democrats hoping to stop Steve Daines’s chosen successor from filling the Senate seat once occupied by Max Baucus. We support Seth Bodnar to fill the seat. Bodnar is a former Green Beret who understands Montanans and…
Montana Democrats roiled by Bankhead-or-Bodnar question
Montana Democratic Party leadership has received legal advice about its options should U.S. Senate nominee Alani Bankhead withdraw from the race. The state party’s executive board was briefed over the weekend that it cannot be forced to produce a replacement if Bankhead withdraws before the Aug. 10 deadline for having her name removed from the November ballot. The advice, solicited by party Chair Shannon O’Brien, was delivered by Washington D.C.…
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