Full Breakdown
Independent Senate Candidate Seth Bodnar Secures Double the Required Signatures and Leads Fundraising
5/27/2026, 4:43:17 AM
Background
Sen. Steve Daines announced his retirement, opening Montana’s Class II U.S. Senate seat. Independent candidates must submit petitions with signatures equal to 4 % of the prior winning vote; for 2026 the threshold is 13,327.
Signature Drive
On May 26, 2026, Bodnar’s campaign filed petitions with nearly 30,000 signatures, more than twice the required number, collected in 52 of 56 counties. County officials will verify the petitions before state certification.
Fundraising
Federal Election Commission filings show Bodnar raised $754,000 since late March, total contributions $2.1 million; Republican Kurt Alme raised $259,000 in the same period, total $1.1 million. Both report cash on hand just under $1 million.
Official Statements & Campaign Messaging
Bodnar’s press release said voters are “sick of the broken politics of Washington” and pledged an “Independent on the ballot in November.” The release added the campaign will “never pay allegiance to party bosses or political elites” and will work “every day until Election Day to earn the vote of every Montanan.” State officials noted petitions will be validated under existing law, with no deadline for certification.
Criticism & Opposition
The timing of Daines’ withdrawal and Alme’s entry has drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic observers, prompting some lawmakers to consider legislation limiting last-minute candidate changes.
Data & Statistics
Signature threshold: 13,327; Bodnar submitted ~30,000. Fundraising since March: Bodnar $754,000; Alme $259,000. Total contributions: Bodnar $2.1 M; Alme $1.1 M. Cash on hand: both just under $1 M. Recent Montana political ad spend: $700,000 total; top Senate ad buys include $169,000 for Alani Bankhead, $95,000 supporting Bodnar and opposing Alme, $62,000 supporting Alme and opposing Reilly Neill.
Why It Matters
Bodnar’s signature and fundraising results make him a competitive independent option in a race historically dominated by the two major parties, potentially reshaping voter alignment and Senate composition.
What’s Next
County officials will forward validated petitions to the secretary of state for certification. The Democratic primary will close soon, and the November 2026 general election will determine the Senate seat.
Verbatim Quotes
“Tens of thousands of Montanans from every corner of our state have spoken: they are sick of the broken politics of Washington and are ready for an Independent on the ballot in November,” — Seth Bodnar, Independent U.S. Senate candidate
“While DC insiders tried to rig this election in March by installing a handpicked candidate who will do their bidding, our campaign has spent months building a political movement of Montanans who want the chance to send leaders to Washington who will always put Montana First. I will never pay allegiance to party bosses or political elites, and I will work every day until Election Day to earn the vote of every Montanan.” — Seth Bodnar, Independent U.S. Senate candidate
