Independent Veterans of America Endorses Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate

MISSOULA, MT— Seth for Montana today announced the endorsement of Seth Bodnar's Independent U.S. Senate campaign by Independent Veterans of America (IVA), the first and only national organization dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and electing Independent and unaffiliated veteran candidates.

Bodnar, a decorated Army Green Beret and former President of the University of Montana, is part of IVA's 2026 effort to recruit, train, and elect 100 Independent veterans nationwide.

"From day one at West Point, we were taught what it means to put the country, the mission, and the soldier next to you before yourself," said Bodnar. "That's the same code I want more leaders in Washington to live by, because Montanans are tired of politicians who put their party bosses ahead of the people who actually elected them. Washington is broken, and it's left too many Montanans feeling abandoned, or worse, taken for granted. Nearly 40 percent of Montanans call themselves Independents, and plenty more feel politically homeless in a system built for two parties instead of one state. That’s why 30,000 Montanans signed their own declaration of Independence to get me on the ballot.”

IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff praised Bodnar as a leader capable of uniting Montanans across the political spectrum:

"Independent Veterans of America is very proud to endorse independent Army veteran Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate from Montana. In this time of war, division, turmoil, corruption and partisan failure, independent veteran Seth Bodnar represents hope for Montanans, for veterans, and for all Americans. Seth Bodnar also represents a game changing threat to both the Democrat and Republican parties and our country's badly broken, hyper-partisan political system. He is an impressive, committed and serious leader that is uniting people of all backgrounds across Montana. He is a decorated Green Beret, university president, and visionary independent leader who has galvanized extraordinary grassroots energy across Montana.

“Unlike his partisan Democrat opponent, Seth can unite and win in Montana. We call on our fellow veteran Alani Bankhead to do the right thing for our veterans community, put country over self, and drop out of the race now. The stakes are too high for our military and veterans for one of our own to become the spoiler in Montana.

“Especially in this time of war, Montana and America need an independent, tested combat leader like Seth in the Senate. From ensuring adequate VA funding for our wounded, to overseeing Pentagon spending, to ensuring our troops are properly supported, Seth is one of us who is ready to meet his moment. He's a proven independent fighter who will fight for veterans, Montana and America."

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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