Alme and Bankhead Back Out, Forcing Cancellation of Second Montana Senate Debate in Two Weeks

With both opponents refusing to show up, City Club Missoula cancels its Senate debate. Seth Bodnar was ready to take the stage.

MISSOULA, MT — For the second time this month, Montanans have lost a chance to hear from their U.S. Senate candidates side by side because Seth Bodnar’s opponents won’t show up. On Monday, Democrat Alani Bankhead backed out of her commitment to participate in the City Club Missoula Senate debate, and Republican Kurt Alme formally declined his invitation, continuing his months-long strategy of avoiding answering questions in an open, public forum. Former Green Beret and Independent candidate Seth Bodnar remained committed to the debate.

The cancellation follows a now-familiar pattern. Earlier this month, the debate hosted by Montana Free Press and Nonstop Local, scheduled for October 7th, was cancelled after Alme refused to participate. Alme has also skipped the American Association of University Women forum in Glendive, the Indivisible Missoula forum, the Montana Electric Cooperatives Association forum in Great Falls, and the Beer, Buds, Big Sky debate.

“Seth Bodnar has shown up everywhere across Montana, from Glasgow to Libby to Lame Deer, because he believes anyone who wants your vote should be willing to stand in front of you and answer your questions,” said Bodnar campaign spokesperson Kelly Webster. “Kurt Alme and Alani Bankhead are doing the opposite, backing out of public appearances and leaving Missoula voters with an empty stage and a cancelled debate. Montanans deserve a senator who shows up, and that’s exactly what Seth has done every single day of this campaign.”

While his opponents continue to avoid voters, Seth Bodnar has consistently met them. Since launching his campaign in March, Bodnar has held events open to the public in every corner of the state, taking every question from Montanans of every political stripe. According to recent polling, Bodnar currently leads Bankhead by 18 points, and after voters hear his message, he leads the race outright over Alme. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike are consolidating around Seth Bodnar.

Seth Bodnar is a Green Beret, business leader, and former president of the University of Montana running for the U.S. Senate to be an independent voice for Montana. Seth is guided by a lifelong commitment to duty, honor, and country. He graduated first in his class at West Point and served multiple overseas deployments, leading soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Special Forces Group, and serving as a special advisor to the commanding general in Iraq. After his military service and a successful career in business, Seth spent the last eight years leading the University of Montana. Under his leadership, the university achieved record high graduation rates, doubled research funding, launched the largest infrastructure renewal in campus history, restored financial stability, and was named the #1 military-friendly university in the country. Raised by two public school teachers, he believes leadership is about service, not party loyalty. Seth and his wife, a fifth-generation Montanan, are raising their three children in Montana.

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