Independent Candidates Seth Bodnar, Dan Osborn, and Brian Bengs Put the Caucus Question to Rest

Candidates pledge to serve as true Independents, caucusing with neither party and answering only to the voters of their states

MISSOULA, MT — Independent U.S. Senate candidates Seth Bodnar of Montana, Dan Osborn of Nebraska, and Brian Bengs of South Dakota today pledged to serve as true Independents if elected in November, caucusing with neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party. 

At a joint press conference, the candidates reaffirmed their commitment to caucus with neither party and to cast no vote for either party’s Senate leadership. As Independents, they said, they will put what’s best for their states first, not what’s best for a political party or the corporate donors that prop it up.

“When Montanans send me to the United States Senate, I will serve as a true Independent, caucusing with neither party and answering only to the people of Montana,” said Seth Bodnar. “When I was eighteen, I raised my right hand and swore an oath to the Constitution, not to a political party.  My party is Montana. That means there’s no party whip telling me how to vote, no party leader setting my agenda, and nothing owed to the donors who bankroll both sides. I’ll work with anyone when it’s good for Montana, and stand up to anyone, including the president, of either party, when it isn’t.”

“As an independent senator, I won't owe my seat to either party. I won't have to fall in line behind Chuck Schumer or John Thune,” said Brian Bengs. “I enlisted in the Navy at age 17 right out of high school, and swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. I later served in the Air Force JAG corps as a military ethics advisor. It is that same commitment to the Constitution and ethics that I will bring to Washington. I'm running to represent South Dakotans, not a political party or big money donors. And in the Senate, I will put South Dakota first—every single time.”

“I don’t take corporate money, because I won’t do their bidding. I won’t caucus with a party for the same reason. I take my cues from the people of Nebraska, not Chuck Schumer, or John Thune, or whoever happens to be in the White House at the time. No one has a monopoly on a good idea.” said Dan Osborn. “If Democrats have a plan that’s good for Nebraska, why wouldn’t I vote for that? If Republicans have a policy that will help Nebraskans, why wouldn’t I support that? I am not interested in going to Washington to just fight for team red or team blue. I’m going to fight for Nebraska.”

How Independents Serve in the Senate: Committee assignments are set by Senate resolution at the start of each Congress, typically through agreements negotiated by party leaders, and senators generally serve on two Class A committees. As Independents, the candidates would negotiate directly with leaders of both parties for committee seats that matter to their states. With their votes always in play in a closely divided Senate, leaders of both parties would have every reason to work with them, and to offer committee assignments that build a strong working relationship.

For decades, Americans have been told they have two choices: Republican or Democrat. This November, voters in Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota have a third: a senator who answers to neither party, only to them. Nearly half of Americans now call themselves independent, yet almost none of them have a senator who shares that independence. Bodnar, Osborn, and Bengs are each running to change that.

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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