FOX NEWS: Independent Seth Bodnar Is “Shaking Up” Montana’s U.S. Senate Race

Former U.S. Army Green Beret and Independent candidate Seth Bodnar joins FOX News to make the case for a senator who answers only to Montanans

MISSOULA, MT — Former U.S. Army Green Beret and Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar joined FOX News this weekend to discuss his Independent campaign, which has taken the lead in a new poll and continues to gain momentum as Republicans, Democrats, and Independents unite behind his candidacy. Bodnar made the case for a senator who will stand up for Montana families struggling with rising costs and answer only to Montanans, not to party bosses or corporate donors in Washington.

Watch the full interview here. Below are key excerpts.

On why he’s running as an Independent:

“We have a broken political system in this country right now, where the only question people ask in Washington, D.C., is what’s good for Democrats and what’s good for Republicans, and never what’s good for Montana, what’s good for the United States of America. And the reality is, Montana families are struggling. Diesel prices are soaring through the roof. Farmers are in crisis. Ranchers are struggling. Rural health care is in absolute crisis. I believe Montana deserves a U.S. senator who doesn’t work for Chuck Schumer. And I believe Montana deserves a U.S. senator who’s not afraid to stand up to Donald Trump. Montana deserves a senator who’s accountable to one boss and one boss only: not a party boss in D.C., but the people of this great state. I’m running as an Independent because I want to be accountable to Montanans and Montanans only.”

On his opponents:

“Let’s remind our viewers at home how this race started. You had party insiders in D.C. disenfranchise Montana Republican voters to put Kurt Alme on the ballot without a competitive election, because Steve Daines withdrew a few minutes before the filing deadline. And then on the Democratic side, you’ve got a person on the ticket whose largest financial supporter is Steve Daines’ super PAC.”

On the trade war and Montana ranchers:

“Neither of the national parties is listening to the challenges Montanans are facing. Montana families are in absolute crisis. We’re in the midst of a trade war with Canada, our largest neighbor to the north, while we’re allowing foreign beef to be dumped into our market. I’m sick and tired, and Montanans are sick and tired of politicians who answer to corporate donors and party bosses in D.C., but never to them. We deserve a U.S. senator who answers only to Montanans. That’s why I’m running as an Independent.”

On putting the mission ahead of partisan politics:

“About 23 years ago, I took command of my first infantry platoon in the 101st Airborne Division. Shortly after arriving in country, I was in charge of a mission going after a high-value target. When you’re stacked on a wall outside a door you’re about to kick down, at a suspected terrorist safe house, you know what question never comes up? ‘I wonder what party the other people in this stack belong to.’ And yet two weeks out from the midterms, all we’re talking about is Republicans and Democrats. We need accountable leadership in D.C.”

On whether an Independent can win:

“Absolutely. The largest voting bloc in Montana is independent. Over 40 percent of Montanans have said, ‘You know what? I don’t like either of these options.’ We had a poll released just this week that showed our campaign up two points on the Republican, 37 to 35. Montanans are ready to come together and say: Neither party owns this state. Nobody gets to take us for granted. It’s time for the common-sense majority of this country to have a voice, and our campaign is offering Montanans an off-ramp from the toxic partisanship.”

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.

###