Politics

Buttigieg endorses independent Seth Bodnar over Democratic nominee in Montana

Bodnar's campaign announced the endorsement, while Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead has rebuffed pressure to withdraw from the race.

Updated Oct 23, 2026 · 18:25 UTC2 reports

The short version

Pete Buttigieg is endorsing independent Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar over Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead.[CBS News · ABC News]
Bankhead, who won the June primary, has rejected pressure to withdraw from the race.[ABC News]
Bankhead has alleged that Democratic Party figures tried to get her to drop out, a claim the party denies.[ABC News]
Bodnar says that if elected he will not caucus with either party and will remain independent.[CBS News]

Buttigieg endorsed independent Seth Bodnar over Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead in the Montana Senate race, according to an announcement from Bodnar's campaign.[CBS News · ABC News]
Bankhead won the Democratic primary in June and has rebuffed pressure to withdraw from the race.[ABC News]
Bankhead has alleged that people within the Democratic Party tried to get her to drop her bid; the party denies this.[ABC News]
Bodnar said that if elected to the Senate he will not caucus with Democrats or Republicans.[CBS News]

Bankhead's allegation that Democratic Party figures pressed her to exit the race is disputed, and the party denies it.[ABC News]
It remains unknown whether Bankhead will withdraw before the election, since she has so far refused pressure to do so.[ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.