Overview
- Bankhead and independent Seth Bodnar met twice but did not reach an agreement and both remain on the ballot with the Aug. 10 withdrawal deadline looming.
- Montana Democratic leaders received a memo from Elias Law Group arguing the party could lawfully decline to name a replacement candidate on First Amendment grounds.
- The Montana secretary of state’s office says state law requires a party to appoint a replacement, setting up a likely legal clash if the party tries to leave the Democratic slot empty.
- Accounts differ about whether national Democrats would fund any resulting litigation because meeting attendees reported that funding was suggested while the Elias Law Group attorney and the DNC deny that claim.
- Polls and analysts show that a three-way race favors Kurt Alme and that one candidate exiting is the clearest path to avoid splitting non‑Republican voters, though mounting a last‑minute replacement would be difficult and could prolong the dispute.