Ex-UM President Seth Bodnar Launches Independent Bid Against Sen. Steve Daines

The campaign tests whether a high-profile independent can secure the signatures needed for Montana’s November ballot.

Overview

Bodnar announced on the final filing day that he will run as an independent, positioning himself as a candidate focused on Montana over national party leaders.
In a launch video, he blamed both parties for a 'broken' system and pledged to fight for 'hardworking Montanans.'
To appear on the general-election ballot, he must collect at least 13,327 valid signatures from registered Montana voters.
Daines seeks a third term and has raised more than $8 million since 2020, with nearly $5 million in cash on hand as of Dec. 31, according to FEC filings.
The race field already includes four Democratic hopefuls and a Libertarian, and analysts note independents face steep odds unless outside spending changes the dynamics.