Montana Voices: Bodnar “Will bring positive change,” Bankhead is “A Democrat in name only, ”Alme was “Forced down our throats by the Republican Party”

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents across Montana are forming a coalition behind Independent candidate Seth Bodnar.

MISSOULA, MT — Montanans from across the state are expressing their support for former Green Beret and Independent candidate for U.S. Senate Seth Bodnar, while opposing Alani Bankhead, whose past ties to far-right, anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ organizations have come under scrutiny, and Kurt Alme, who recently doubled down on his blind support of the costly and unauthorized war in Iran and has a shocking record of declining to prosecute up to 79 percent of sex crimes as U.S. Attorney.

According to recent polling, Bodnar currently leads Democrat Alani Bankhead by 18 points, and after voters hear his message, he leads the race outright over Republican Kurt Alme. Below are key excerpts from Letters to the Editor from across Montana.

Letter to the editor: Bodnar will bring positive change to Washington

Ken Knudson, Helena, Helena Independent Record

“In his relatively short lifetime, Seth Bodnar has compiled a varied and impressive list of accomplishments and careers that make him highly qualified to be Montana’s next U. S. Senator: Rhodes Scholar, Green Beret, combat platoon leader in Iraq, successful business executive at General Electric and President of the University of Montana.”

“Along with good, diverse qualifications, Senate candidates need to be in touch with voters. Since the June primaries, both the Democratic and Republican candidates have been largely AWOL from voters — making hardly any public appearances where people can ask questions about where they stand on issues.”

“In contrast, since April, Seth has been conducting town hall gatherings in all corners of Montana. He’s been meeting face-to-face with voters of all political interests to learn about the state and national issues that are most important to them and to discuss his ideas for addressing those issues. This personal outreach to voters is the heart of his Montana-based, grassroots-supported, independent campaign.”

“Seth Bodnar is committed to bringing a grounded, independent voice to Washington — driven by practical solutions, accountability and service to Montanans above all else. I hope you will support him with your vote. It’s an exciting opportunity for a positive change.”

Saving democracy one vote at a time

Dave Atkins, Bozeman, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

“I am politically independent. I have seen up close the failures and successes of democracy through my career as a federal civil servant of 37 years. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Often the 'bad and ugly' are the result of party politics using their power to ram something through that fits their ideology rather than making sense for the whole of the country.”

“I am supporting Seth Bodnar, running as an Independent for Montana's senate seat, because he plans to represent the needs of Montanans and not a political party. I have talked to Seth, asked questions and looked at his platform for action when he is elected. He is focused on three pillars:

Protecting the Montana Way of Life - through affordable housing, health care, sustaining social security and Medicare, veterans benefits, tribal rights;

National Security – by supporting Montana's agricultural sector and its contribution to national food security; enhancing energy security using all energy sources with a grid designed to meet our needs; economic security – rejuvenating our wood products sector using sustainable forest management, promoting the tourism sector, innovation and new business creation; investing in infrastructure; expanding upon the great research and development work by UM and MSU that supports all of these efforts; military security; fiscal responsibility;

Political Reform – term and age limits for judges and congress; eliminating corporate money in elections; eliminating gerrymandering so political parties can't create "safe" seats that take away voter's choice; prohibiting insider trading; fixing the primary system, so our votes have more power.”

“Seth is not serving up platitudes and culture war doggerel. He provides an outline for returning power to the voters. He believes in Lincoln's words from the Gettysburg address about preserving a government of the people, by the people, for the people and has specific plans to get it done. If we want to change the culture of Washington DC, we must change how it operates. We can eliminate corruption and self-dealing by sending an Independent voice from Montana, for Montana, by Montana.”

Letter to the editor: Research Bankhead's background before voting

Beth Cogswell, Missoula, Missoulian

“I’m writing to urge voters to research Alani Bankhead’s background before casting a vote for her for U.S Senate. Bankhead may spout the Democratic party line, but her actions speak louder than words.”

“Consider that while living in Washington D.C., she belonged to a mega church that espoused anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ views. The pastor called abortion “the American Holocaust.” Instead of voting for Obama, she voted first for McCain and then for Romney.”

“She is on the record saying being poor is a choice. She receives royalties from Genesis Publishing, a Christian Nationalist publisher that published her self-help book. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has refused to provide any funding to her campaign because they don’t believe she is a Democrat.”

“There is the additional question of what qualifies Bankhead to serve in this important role. She moved to Montana a mere three years ago, has never held public office, is a Democrat in name only, and seems to be running solely to feed her ego and generate clients to her coaching business. Talk about hubris!”

“As a lifelong Democrat, I will be voting for Seth Bodnar, a candidate who best represents my values. Bodnar graduated from West Point, served as a Green Beret, led the University of Montana as president for almost a decade, and graduated from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. His impeccable record of service and leadership make him uniquely qualified to become Montana’s next senator.”

Letter to the editor: Don't support Alme in November

Mary Wolstein, Butte, Montana, Published in Lee Enterprises

“I won't vote for Kurt Alme for Senator. I object because he is being forced down our throats by the Republican Party.

Alme had no competition in the primary election because of the collusion between Senator Daines, Alme, and most likely President Trump. There was no last-minute decision by Daines to retire — no one makes a split-second decision to retire and magically has his chosen successor waiting in the wings. They clearly conspired to deceive Montana voters. What they did may not be illegal, but it sure smells like it.”

“This preconceived set-up gave Republican voters no choice in the primary election and it is designed to force a Republican win by Alme in November. This is outright election meddling and Alme should be ashamed of himself for participating in this election scheme. Trump’s election tampering has finally came to roost in Montana.”

“Montanans still have a choice — we have three other people running for senator. My choice is the West Point Grad, Green Beret, business leader, and former UM president. A leader who puts Montana first — Seth Bodnar. Seth has no party affiliation. This means he is free to do what’s best for Montanan — no party influence — independent, a maverick.”

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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