Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg threw his support behind independent candidate Seth Bodnar in Montana's Senate race on Friday, a move that sidelines the state's Democratic nominee and underscores a growing national Democratic trend of backing independents in Republican-leaning states.
Buttigieg's endorsement, first reported by ABC News, adds to a wave of Democratic support for Bodnar, who is challenging Republican Kurt Alme for the seat. Some Democrats believe Bodnar has a stronger shot at defeating Alme than the party's own nominee, Alani Bankhead, who has resisted mounting pressure to withdraw.
In a statement, Buttigieg praised Bodnar's record of service, saying, "The best leaders I've served with, in uniform and in government, care more about getting the job done than about who gets the credit, and Seth is one of them." The potential 2028 presidential contender acknowledged ideological differences with Bodnar but argued the independent would continue his lifelong commitment to the country in the Senate.
Buttigieg's endorsement is part of a broader Democratic effort to consolidate support behind Bodnar. Former Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) has already backed the independent, and Montana Democratic Party Chair Shannon O'Brien resigned earlier this month to endorse Bodnar as well.
Bankhead, however, has refused to exit the race, and Montana law would require the party to name a new nominee if she did. Her persistence has frustrated some Democrats who see her candidacy as splitting the anti-Republican vote. Similar dynamics are playing out in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Idaho, where Democrats are increasingly rallying around independent or third-party candidates in races deemed unwinnable for party nominees.
Bodnar welcomed Buttigieg's endorsement, telling ABC News he was honored and proud that people "across the political spectrum" were joining his campaign. He has positioned himself as a pragmatic problem-solver who can work across party lines, a message that resonates in a state where Republicans dominate statewide politics.
Despite the Democratic maneuvering, Montana's Senate race remains a long shot for Bodnar. Election handicapper Decision Desk HQ rates the contest as "likely Republican," and its polling average shows Alme leading with 41.9 percent, Bodnar at 29.4 percent, and Bankhead at 17.1 percent as of Friday morning.
The race highlights the strategic tensions within the Democratic Party as it seeks to remain competitive in rural and conservative states. While some see backing independents as a pragmatic path, others worry it undermines party infrastructure and alienates loyal voters. Buttigieg's involvement, given his national profile, adds another layer of significance to the Montana contest, which could serve as a test case for Democratic strategy in the 2026 midterms and beyond.
