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Montana U.S. Senate candidates square off in debate
Candidates split over universal coverage and U.S. involvement in Iran as they made their closing pitch to voters ahead of the Senate race.
- Republican Kurt Alme, Democrat Alani Bankhead, Independent Seth Bodnar, and Libertarian Kyle Austin met for a 90-minute debate at the Stream Lodge in Bozeman on Sunday, hosted by the Montana Broadcasters Association.
- Candidates addressed Montana's housing crisis, with Bodnar calling for federal zoning reform and Alme advocating lower taxes to help Montanans keep more of their paychecks. Austin, a Billing-area pharmacist, linked the shortage to broader economic challenges.
- Bankhead advocated for universal health care and removing Social Security wage limits, while Austin proposed his "Health Care 2.0" plan to consolidate services. Alme criticized government-run systems, calling for increased transparency and competition.
- On foreign policy, Austin noted, "No, I do not defend the war in Iran and I do not believe we should be there," while Alme argued actions against Iran are necessary. Alme labeled Bodnar and Bankhead his "two liberal opponents."
- With absentee ballots heading to voters, the candidates focused on Election Day, November 3, 2026. The debate highlighted deep ideological divisions as participants sought to define their platforms for Montanans ahead of the final campaign stretch.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left1Leaning Right5Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
C 65%
R 29%
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