PRESS RELEASE
Democrat Alani Bankhead Attended Pro-MAGA Megachurch, Released Book with Far-Right Publisher
McLean Bible Church in Virginia preached “abortion is a sin against God,” Genesis Publishing House says it is built on “conservative principles”
MISSOULA, MT — After earning the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the campaign of Seth Bodnar, Independent for U.S. Senate in Montana, today released the following statement about Alani Bankhead’s record of associating with far-right, pro-MAGA, and anti-abortion institutions:
“Montana women deserve a senator whose record they can actually trust,” said Kelly Webster, spokesperson for the Bodnar campaign. “Alani Bankhead still earns royalties from a publisher whose brand promise is far-right Christian content, and whose catalog includes a book calling abortion a 'crime against humanity.' She belonged to a pro-MAGA megachurch whose pastor called abortion 'a sin against God' and who celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While Bankhead may be comfortable with these far-right views, Montanans believe that a woman should have the right to make her own personal health care decisions without interference from politicians or anyone else.”
In 2023, Bankhead wrote a self-help book that she published with far-right Christian company Genesis Publishing House. Genesis promises that readers “can expect to read a book geared towards conservative principles” when they see the Genesis logo. According to her financial disclosure, Bankhead reports continuing to earn income from Genesis and her book as recently as this year. Other books published by Genesis include “Reversing Roe v. Wade: My Journey With Roe, Doe, And God,” which calls abortion a “crime against humanity” and pledges to make abortion illegal and “Playing The Trump Card Again: Is This OUR Final Hand?,” which suggested the COVID vaccine may symbolize the Mark of the Beast.
Additionally, Bankhead was a member of McLean Bible Church in McLean, VA, which promotes anti-abortion, pro-MAGA views. Pastor David Platt preached that “abortion is a sin against God” and praised the overturning of Roe v. Wade and in 2019.
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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