Former UM President Seth Bodnar Launches Independent Bid for Montana Senate

Overview

• Bodnar announced his run with a campaign video, casting himself as a candidate outside the party system who will answer only to Montana.
• He plans to file today to challenge Republican Sen. Steve Daines, with independents qualifying directly for the general ballot once signature requirements are met.
• The race already includes four Democratic candidates and one Libertarian who have filed to face Daines.
• Reporting cites polling that shows Daines with a commanding lead and only a small difference for Bodnar running as an independent versus as a Democrat.
• The former Army Green Beret and General Electric executive led the University of Montana for eight years before stepping down in January.