ICYMI
Former NARAL Head Calls Out Alani Bankhead for Lying About Reproductive Freedom Record
“Alani Bankhead does not hold our Democratic values and cannot be trusted to represent us in Washington”
MISSOULA, MT — In case you missed it, Nancy Keenan, former President of NARAL Pro-Choice America and former Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party, published a new post highlighting the fact that Alani Bankhead lied to voters about her engagement with Planned Parenthood Action Fund's endorsement process, and making the case that her dishonesty should give every Montanan who values personal freedom real pause.
Read the full post here. Key excerpts are below.
Nancy Keenan, Substack
Alani Bankhead’s own words continue to make it hard to believe she’s actually a Democrat.
In case you missed it, Bankhead was caught lying about whether she pursued an endorsement from Planned Parenthood. During a campaign stop in Bozeman, she was asked directly if she filled out a questionnaire. She said yes, but Planned Parenthood later confirmed she repeatedly ignored their requests for her stance on choice.
When I learned of this lie, I felt it should give every Montana voter who values personal freedom pause. I have spent my life fighting to protect reproductive freedom, a pillar of our values as Democrats and Montanans. Alani Bankhead’s refusal to engage in the Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsement process, despite multiple attempts to reach her, is disqualifying and deeply unsettling.
The following quote sums up how important it is for Montana Democrats to see their role in helping flip the U.S. Senate: you are not required to blindly vote blue, especially if it will ensure the GOP wins.
“If you don’t have the resources to run a proper Senate campaign or to do much in the way of paid advertising, and Bankhead doesn’t, there just aren’t that many opportunities to get your message out or to try to shape the discussion.” – Rob Saldin, political science commentator on Montana Public Radio’s “Campaign Beat”
Seth has a chance to thread the needle, but we need Democrats to get there. If you agree, I invite you to join this growing coalition that includes the youth movement, reproductive choice advocates, the labor movement, conservation, public lands advocates, and more.
To the brave Montana Democrats who can see our role in putting America before party, I know it hasn’t been easy, but you are seen and appreciated. Together, we could be the tipping point.
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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