Full Breakdown
Montana Democratic Chair Resigns, Endorses Independent Senate Candidate Seth Bodnar
By Drooid · · How we work
Resignation and Endorsement
Montana Democratic Party chair Shannon O’Brien announced her resignation in an op-ed on MS Now, saying the party “is more divided than ever” because of the upcoming U.S. Senate race. O’Brien criticized Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead, questioning her stance on abortion rights, support for working people, and views on poverty. She also described Republican nominee Kurt Alme as a “puppet” for former President Donald Trump.
Background to the Senate Contest
The open Senate seat belongs to retiring Republican Sen. Steve Daines. The three-way race includes Republican Kurt Alme, Democrat Alani Bankhead, and independent Seth Bodnar, with Libertarian Kyle Austin also on the ballot. O’Brien’s resignation comes amid internal tensions over whether the Democratic Party should back its own nominee or support an independent challenger.
Polling and Election Outlook
Decision Desk HQ, The Hill’s election partner, projects a 91 percent probability that Alme will win, versus a 9 percent chance for Bodnar. If a poll were conducted today, 43.4 percent of Montana voters would back Alme, 27.1 percent would choose Bodnar, and 18.3 percent would support Bankhead.
Official Reactions
She also noted that O’Brien obtained a legal opinion without a board vote on whether the party could refuse to replace her if she quit. The Hill reached out to Bankhead’s campaign for comment but received no additional response.
Verbatim Quote
“The future of our state and our country is at stake. I hope all Democrats across Montana will join me in choosing the best person this year, even if he’s not from the party they were expecting.” — Alani Bankhead